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

DRIVE DEFERRED: Miami-Dade County commissioners deferred a vote on establishing separate regulations and requirements of for-hire limousines in the county. About 100 taxi cab and limousine drivers showed up Tuesday at a public hearing that lasted close to three hours. The ordinance would require limousine service be limited to rides pre-arranged at least one hour in advance, among other things.

CONE DELAYED: A vote on an amendment to the county's "Cone of Silence" policy was deferred by commissioners Tuesday. The ordinance would have expanded the policy to regulate communication from county professional staffers and selection committee members on matters related to the procurement of goods or services.

IT'S SNOOTI: Fisher Island resident Monette Klein O'Grady says not all fellow residents want to incorporate, referring to recent discussions about the island community becoming a city. She says she's formed a political action committee calledSNOOTI — Say Noo To Incorporation. The "no" in the group's acronym has two O's for emphasis, she says, so don't call her group SNOTTI. Incorporating, Ms. O'Grady said, would sacrifice the island's privacy. It now can only be reached by private ferry. Incorporation would make access public.

BANK EXECUTIVE: Coconut Grove Bank named Daniel C. Eggland executive vice president and director "to grow this bank into the future," said Gus Harrison, chairman of the bank's board. Mr. Eggland is former president and CEO of MetroBank. His hiring, says Charles D. Umberger, president, comes amid a computer system upgrade and remodeling at the bank's main office, 2701 S Bayshore Drive. Mr. Eggland is executive director of the South Florida Council for the Boy Scouts of America and director of South Miami Hospital Associates.

DOWNTOWN FORUM: The Downtown Bay Forum will look at "Judicial Reform: Justice on Trial — Should Judges Be Elected or Appointed" at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 27 in the Biscayne Bay Marriott, 1833 N Bayshore Drive. Guest panelists are attorneys Dennis Kainen and Victor Diaz. Attorney Larry Schatzman will moderate. RSVP. Cost is $20; $16 for members with reservations. Details: Annette Eisenberg, (305) 757-3633.

 E HONORS: The US Department of Commerce's Export Assistance Center in Miami gave MD International Inc. the President's "E" Award for outstanding success in exporting. MD International is sole representative for more than 20 major US medical equipment manufacturers in Latin America and the Caribbean. A formal ceremony to present the award will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 25 in the company's headquarters, 11300 NW 41st St.

SALUTING JAPAN: The Japan Society of South Florida will hold a farewell to Akiko Endo, its former director, at Japan 2000 ceremonies from 6:30-9 p.m. Sept. 27 in the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach. Ms. Endo will be returning to Japan, a society spokesperson said, and a successor has yet to be named. Other observances scheduled at Japan 2000 include a welcoming to Hideaki Asahi, new consul general of Japan in Miami; a dedication of the Japanese Garden at the Botanical Garden and a toast to the South Florida chapter's 10th year. A cocktail reception and silent auction "of things Japanese" are also on the agenda, along with music by the group No Borders. Details: (305) 358-7256.

LEAGUE INSTALLATION: The Miami-Dade County League of Cities will hold its officer installation and dinner at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 in the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave. Florida City Commissioner R.S. Shiver will be installed as president as Miami City Commissioner Willy Gort steps down as immediate past president. A 6 p.m. reception will start things off. RSVP. Cost is $40. Details: (305) 557-1722.

FRENCH VENEZUELANS: The French-American Chamber of Commerce of Miami & Fort Lauderdale and the Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce are holding a members-only "Great Networking Encounter" on a night cruise aboard the Royal Star out of the Port of Miami starting at about 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20. A complimentary dinner and cash bar are included.

BARTENDERS BALL: With organizers billing it as "the biggest event in the hospitality industry," the first annual Bartenders Ball of Greater Miami & the Beaches has been scheduled Dec. 11 at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort & Towers, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, to benefit United Way of Miami-Dade. The black-tie bash targets members of the industry from cruise ship staffers to hotel and nightclub operators. Details: Jannice Cameron, (305) 335-5678.

INTERFOOD BUYOUT: Interfoods of America Inc. announced acquisition of 71 Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits franchises in the central and north areas of Florida and southern Georgia from RMS Family Restaurants Inc., along with 32 fee properties the stores occupy. Additional development rights were also acquired to build 56 of the restaurants over seven years, according to Robert S. Berg, Interfoods chair and CEO. The acquisition, he said, makes Interfoods the largest franchise holder of the Popeyes chain with 163 in seven states. Financial details were not released.

MEMORIAL SHOW: Florida Memorial College is to play host at 8 p.m. Sept. 23 to "Citizen Belafonte," a tribute organized by Florida Memorial visiting professor Nelson Hall to entertainer Harry Belafonte that features an orchestra and vocal ensemble called Juilate. The show chronicles the performer's acting and singing career, say promoters. Details: (305) 626-3683.

MEDICAL EXAMINER RESIGNS: Dr. Roger E. Mittelman Tuesday announced his resignation as chief medical examiner and director of the Miami-Dade Examiner Department after 21 years as a medical examiner for the county. Dr. Joe Davis, former chief medical examiner, was named acting chief medical examiner. A nationwide search for a permanent chief is to be conducted, according to a Miami-Dade Communications Department representative.

LOOKING UP: While Miami city commissioners were approving a measure to put privatization of the city's parking authority on the November ballot, many worried aloud that the authority's bonds, rated AAA now, will be downgraded to the city's BB level if they are transferred to the city. "The investors will be unhappy and you're going to have a bunch of lawsuits," said Art Noriega, executive director of the Miami Parking System. "That's part of life," Mayor Joe Carollo said. "Our bond rating will be going up soon."

CHIEFLY CHIEFS: About 30 police chiefs from Latin and Central America will meet Oct. 24-27 in the Hyatt Regency for what Miami Police Chief Raul Martinez calls "mutual problem-solving to enhance our capability to fight crime." The session — being called the Hemispheric Conference of Chiefs of Police — is to include dining and entertainment throughout the city.

LITTLE CRACKDOWN: Miami Police Chief Raul Martinez told the Downtown Development Authority board last week that police will crack down on "little crimes" downtown often committed by street people, such as drinking alcohol in public, panhandling and sleeping in doorways. "If we don't address them immediately, they become big crimes," he said. "It will be a relentless push to get these people to go somewhere else and do their deeds." He asked the authority to keep pressure on Miami-Dade County to process vagrants closer to where they're arrested rather than transport them to the Civic Center. "If someone is arrested in Florida City, he's transported here and released here. They don't give him taxi fare to get back to Florida City."

OVERDUE INCREASE: The Downtown Development Authority board voted to give Patti Allen, executive director, a raise to $95,000, the salary both previous executive directors made 10 years ago. Noting that Ms. Allen had not received any increase or bonus since taking the post in 1995, board member Carlos Migoya suggested a $10,000 one-time bonus, which the board also approved. "Anytime Carlos Migoya suggests spending money," quipped fellow board member Jack Peeples, "it's an historic moment."

DADELAND LEASE: Booz-Allen & Hamilton leased 4,931 square feet of office space at 9100 S Dadeland Blvd. Michael Klotz of CB Richard Ellis negotiated the transaction.

HOME DEPOT BUYS: Home Depot USA bought its store building in the Mall at 163rd Street for $5.1 million, or $41.63 a square foot.

STRATEGIC LOAN: Strategic Capital Resources closed on a $45 million line of credit from Union Planters Bank. The funds will be used to finance purchase and lease-back of entitled residential real estate and model homes for major national home builders.

NEW MARKETING FIRM: Jannice Cameron, director of sports marketing for Perry Ellis Menswear for 11 years, has opened Talented Marketing & Entertainment, a full-service marketing and public relations firm, on Miami Beach. Details: (305) 335-5678.

THANKS, JOE: The Beacon Council's board of directors honored Joseph W. Pallot on Friday for years of legal advice to the organization as an attorney with Steel Hector & Davis. Mr. Pallot has become a partner with Devine Goodman Pallot & Wells at 777 Brickell Ave.

 MEMO TO MIAMI: Tony Ridder, chairman of Knight Ridder, tells Editor & Publisher magazine about ex-Miamian Jay Harris, whom he named publisher of California's San Jose Mercury News before he and Knight Ridder headquarters moved from Miami to San Jose: "Jay really has the best job in the company, being publisher in such an interesting place." No mention of Alberto IbargÅen at the Miami Herald.

TRAVELING SHOW: Miami Beach arts groups will show off their best on the second Thursday of each month beginning Oct. 12 under the banner "Second Thursdays." The free presentation by the city's Cultural Arts Council and the Miami Beach Arts Trust will carry participants from site to site by Electrowave bus from 6-9 p.m. "It will be the city of Miami Beach showing off what makes us so special — all of our arts groups and cultural organizations," said Alvaro Fernandez, program director. Details: (305) 673-7500.