The Urban Environment League's Annual Orchids and Onions Party and Meeting is Wednesday, June 19 at the Coral Gables Museum (285 Aragon Avenue).
Onions (sort of like Raspberry awards) will be going to Governor Rick Scott for his continued assault against environmental regulations and good planning; The Epic Hotel Group for allowing a "sales trailer" (now a yacht clubhouse) to block the Miami Riverwalk and MDX for proposing to enable sprawl by expanding toll roads and highways as opposed to supporting transit.
Orchids (the good award) are going to a number of people, a few being Arva Moore Parks for preservation of our architectural and cultural legacy; Arsenio Milian for his contribution to environmental education and natural areas; Ruth Greenfield for being a dedicated activist for the community, for green space and for the Urban Environment League and Sallye and Jim Jude who will receive the Lifetime distinguished members award from The Urban Environment League.
There are many others receiving Orchids.
The event is from 6 to 9 pm. Suggested donation is $20 per person or $35 with new membership; Drinks and snacks included.
Please RSVP Urbanenvleague@gmail.com
The Barnacle Historic State Park and The Barnacle Society will be holding their usual July 4th activities which take place from 11 am to 4 pm.
Each year, the grounds, and house, go back in time to an old fashioned style holiday. The old house is covered in bunting, there are plenty of games and activities for the family, there is live music, food and you are also encouraged to bring your own picnic if you like, but they do sell barbecue, also.Admission: $5 ages 12 and up; $3 ages 6-11; under 6 free.
The Barnacle Historic State Park is located at 3485 Main Highway.
I had reported that the July 4th fireworks may not happen this year, the Grove Chamber didn't want that job anymore, which ended up being a lot of work and expense, since they turned it all into a mini festival with food and games and things like that. It was a great effort and always was a lot of fun, but I can see their point in wanting to step out.
The good news is that the City of Miami has stepped in and they will hold the fireworks at Peacock Park, so the tradition continues.
The good part, or bad, depending on how you see it, is that there will be no other hoopla at the park, no food, drink, etc. The local businesses will benefit in that there is talk of some perhaps putting together a box lunch that people can bring to the park and they could enjoy that while sitting on blankets, etc. Or of course, people can bring their own food and drink, which is what I think will happen.
I'll post more details as I get them. But if you had planned on bringing the family to Peacock Park for fireworks as you do every year, you still can.
These are notes from the last Waterfront Advisory Committee:
Dinner Key Marina dock master building update: the administration concluded it is not cost effective to scrap the project. Costs to pay off architects, engineering, and contractor costs as well as renovation to the existing building, and constructing the smaller dock master facility over the Water and Sewer Dept. area was not feasible.
Kennedy Park shoreline restoration update: exotic plant removal work underway, stump work still to come. Some minor mangrove trimming also needs to be done. The street outfall currently landlocked needs to be moved to the mangrove area that still has tidal flow.
Spoil Islands master plans and Tiki huts update: meeting scheduled for June 12, with Gulliver Prep for student master plan project for Spoil Island E. Purchase Order issued for Tiki shelters. The Sailing Club suggested naming Spoil Island E Clarington Island. The committee approved the idea and asked that District 2 place the item on a commission agenda. Mr. Robert Clarington who was a Club dock master for over 50 years and the name would be in his honor.
Spoil Island C floating dock update: FDEP permit obtained, only Army Corp still required before work can start. The dock is listing at all tides now.
Spoil Island C – B swim area update: Coast Guard ok'd plan with modification to swim buoys. No rope between buoys is allowed. There are current environment concerns with some boats beaching at the shoreline to make repairs, paint bottoms, etc.
New business for June 12 meeting (5:30 pm, City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive): Is there a master plan for Peacock Park? Does the Parks Dept. have any involvement with planning? The Planning Dept. has not seen any plans.
Join the Downtown Miami & Brickell Chamber of Commerce tonight, along with the Chambers of Coconut Grove, Argentina, Camacol,Colombia, Chile, Doral Airport, Ecuador, Haiti, Honduras, Junior Chamber International, Medley,Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Poland,Sweetwater, and the Brickell Rotary Club, at the Monthly Multichamber of Commerce networking event.mix and mingle.
The event is from 6 to 9 pm, tonight, June 5, at The Flat Miami (500 South Point Drive, S. Beach).
It's a great way to meet hundreds of local professionals, promote your business, share your ideas, expand your network and have fun. Includes: Enjoy complimentary drink and appetizers for an hour. Bring your business card to participate in raffle to win surprise prizes.
Valet Parking: Available for $5
Dress Code: Business Attire
In advance:$10 Members, $15 Non-Members At the door (cash only):
$15 Members, $20 Non-Members
Tickets at: Multichamberevents.com
RSVP: join@miamibrickellchamber.com
The Selection Committee met yesterday afternoon in regards to the RFP for the waterfront project at the Scotty's Landing area, along with The Chart House and Marina. It was a secret meeting, where they asked members of the public to leave. There seemed to only be one person from the press there (city related) and even Ron Nelson, Comm. Sarnoff's Chief of Staff was questioned as to why he was present. He was permitted to stay.
Two groups submitted their plans, which were quite extensive and modern. Shula's is said to be part of one of the plans and also a fish restaurant.
None of the selection committee seems to be connected with Coconut Grove in any way, shape or form, so it's quite absurd that they are making decisions about the future of our waterfront.
The committee, as you can see by the memo are:
Enrique Torre, Director of Public Facilities, City of Miami
Felix Garcia, Chief Lending officer of Pacific National BankCathy Hardy, Certified Marina Manager, Miami-Dade County
Steven Perricone, owner of Perricone's Restaurant on Brickell
Steve Kneapler, Owner SJK Advisors, LLC
The former Yucky's space on Main Highway is now Lucky 14 Gifts, transformed into a new place by Noel Garcia, who also owns New Age Body Piercing and Grove Ink, the tattoo place, both on Grand Avenue. This sign is the original Yucky's sign from the 1960s, the black wood framing it, was taken from the original shelves in the store.
Lucky 14 Gifts will be about 60% smoke shop and the rest will be gifts and novelty items like collectible lunch boxes and antique salt and pepper shakers, coffee cups and things like that. Along with the smoke items will be fine cigars and humidors.
There's a party Wednesday, June 5, starting at 7 pm, to welcome Lucky 14 to the neighborhood. Stop by for champagne and cupcakes and hors d'oeuvres will be served, too.
"I wanted to make it more Grove-like," said Noel, regarding the transformation. "I wanted it to look good and clean. After 44 years, I wanted to make it up to date."
The staff has been working hard and the place does look great. They didn't want me taking many photos because they want you to stop by and see it all for yourself.
Lucky 14 Gifts is at 3418 Main Highway. Same phone number as Yucky's: 305-444-4997.
I loved the little Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pipes because not too long ago, I interviewed Kevin Eastman, the co-creator of the Ninja Turtles, for the Huffington Post and I sort of got close to the characters during the process.
