 |
| The winners |
The Miami Foundation announced the top winners in their Our Miami Public Space Challenge. Fifteen ideas for improving, creating and activating local public spaces will share $120,000 in funding. The announcement was made to hundreds of young, engaged Miamians at the contest’s Wrap Party hosted at The Stage Miami last week.
The challenge is part of the Foundation’s ongoing Our Miami initiative, an effort to build a stronger sense of community and retain talented people in Miami by improving livability.From July 31 to September 19, residents, advocacy groups and organizations submitted more than 250 ideas at ideas.ourmiami.org. A panel of community experts and professional placemakers selected top submissions based on their compelling nature, economic feasibility, relevance to the surrounding area and above all, community impact.“The explosion of energy Miamians created around the challenge was tremendous,” said Javier Alberto Soto, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation. “Each visionary idea added to the spark – a spark we hope will fuel a permanent community-wide focus on improving public spaces.”Eleven projects will be funded by $100,000 from The Miami Foundation. Health Foundation of South Florida will invest an additional $20,000 to $30,000 in the challenge to fund four ideas promoting healthy, physical exercise activities and access to fresh food through gardens and farmer’s markets. Both organizations will work with winners to execute their projects.Selected ideas include:· Creating artistic wooden benches and hand-painted flower pots filled with tropical plants in Little Havana, celebrating their burgeoning arts community. (Idea from Ileana Collazo)· Install a shade covering over the outdoor fitness zone at Liberty City's Gwen Cherry Park to protect park-going residents from the South Florida heat and rain. (Idea from Gwen Cherry Park Foundation)· Transform an empty Downtown Dadeland lot next to the M-Path into a new public green space for Miamians to walk their dogs and engage with neighbors. (Idea from Eric Katz)All participants were invited to sign up with challenge partner ioby (in our backyard), a powerful online crowd-resourcing platform that drives public financial support for neighborhood projects. Funded projects will also require volunteer support, providing opportunities for challenge participants to engage in the project’s next phase.“This challenge is a community-wide achievement,” said Stuart Kennedy, the Foundation’s programs officer coordinating the Our Miami initiative. “By connecting challenge contributors to ioby and other resources, we could see many more ideas crystallize in the coming weeks. Together, we’re making Miami a more open, attractive, healthier and engaged place to live.”
Lots of fond memories will be a big park soon, as the Coconut Grove Expo Center/Dinner Key Auditorium/Convention Center/Jim Morrison thingie/tv-movie studios are torn down. This is how it looks today.
Do you have fond memories of the place? Did you see concerts there or go to the antique shows or flower shows or home shows, etc.?
There was a meeting last night at Grove Isle for the residents of Grove Isle, about the Grove Bay waterfront project. I did not post the meeting notice because it was for the residents and I didn't feel like it was proper for the whole town to show up, but it seems like that is what happened anyway. I did not attend for that reason, I felt it was barging in on their condo meeting, but as others told me, the folks needed to hear the other side and that makes sense.
So the Stop Grove Bay people showed up and lots of others from the opposing side. It's interesting to note that those neighbors in favor, if there are any in favor, did not show up.
Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and others were there to push the plan to the neighbors, but according to friends who were there, the neighbors were not buying it. One wife admonished her husband as they left the room saying, "We're voting NO!" I could almost hear him saying "Yes, dear."
It's sort of the Streisand effect, the more they push the project, the more it makes people suspicious of the project.
It was very interesting that Sarnoff who has been shunning the Village Council for years, he even allegedly threw them out of City Hall years ago so they could not get tv time, was telling people, "Even the Village Council has approved of the plan." That's really grasping at straws. People saw right through that, I was told of many nasty whispers under people's breath after that comment.
Many present asked why he was not talking about an alternative solution since people don't seem to care for this plan and of course the question remains, where was the bidding process? There was only one bidder, even at Grove Isle condo, all those folks are well aware of getting three bids for projects. They cannot paint the buildings or even get a new lawn guy without getting at least three bids, yet this large waterfront project was approved by our City Commission even though there were no bids, it ended up coincidentally being the same Grove Bay that built The Fresh Market and the Marina.
Vote NO on this project.
Celestial Treasures inaugural Halloween Psychic Faire and Witches Gathering is this weekend. Guests will be able to experience a variety of spiritual services, including psychic readings, dream interpretations, spiritual reiki healings, and henna tattoos. Local artists will present their original, one-of-a-kind magical creations for purchase.
The event is Saturday, October 26, from 1 pm to 10 pm and at 9 pm, the Halloween ceremony will commence, where they will honor our ancestors and those who watch over us in the world of spirits. They will ask our spirit guides for their empowerment and protection.
Celestial Treasures is located at 3444 Main Highway, #3. For info: 305-461-2341.
 |
| Flo Rida |
It was announced today that recording Artist and Rapper, Flo Rida, will be the Grand Marshal for the Great Grove Bed Race this year.
He joins celebrity judges, and others as part of this year's event. Emceess of the bed-to-bed race offs is KVJ morning show of 97.3 FM the Coast. The 2013 competition of racing homemade beds through the streets of Coconut Grove will benefit Dress for Success Miami.
Born and raised in Miami, Flo Rida released his first album in 2008 that featured hit songs such as “Low” featuring T-Pain and “Right Round” featuring Kesha. Both songs reached the top of the charts and held their position at number one for several weeks. His latest album “Perfect 10” will be released before the years end.
“I love my fans, so when I get the chance to interact with them, it's beautiful,” said Flo Rida, “Growing up in South Florida, I've always known, before I had a record deal, that the thing is to go out and put on the show. I've been doing that from day one and so have these race producers. I can’t wait to be a part of the totally different kind of show."
The event will take place on South Bayshore Drive by Peacock Park. Ingenuity has always been the key component of the races. Entries in recent years have depicted everything from a bed-ridden President Obama to last years top prize winner a Victorian Themed bed by The Olfactory Company complete with white powder and wigs. Like any other 5k or tri-athalon for charity; the Bed Racers will fundraise throughout the fall season, with a 5-man race team and an additional 5-man pit crew, sending emails and encouraging attendees to sponsor and donate to their teams.
The day starts with a family pajama party at 11 am with free games, Billy the Marlin, a kid’s race course, interactive race games, acrobatic shows and music. Tickets to the Bed Race are just Five dollars for adults and kids 12 and under free all day. Live music starts on the main stage with a pre-race party zooming into a pit row parade where you can text your vote for Crowd Favorite, which will be the top prize of the day. Grand Marshal Flo Rida and Celebrity judges rate the beds for “Best Artistry," “Best Engineered," “Just plain Funniest” and “Most Dressed for Success”.
The Great Grove Bed Race is 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday November 3. For more information about tickets and schedule, please visit thegreatgrovebedrace.com.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade is hosting it's annual “Wild About Kids” black-tie gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 at Four Seasons Hotel Miami, Grand Ballroom. The 7th annual fundraising event will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade and its many positive programs, such as after school programs, homework assistance, computer training, social skills, dance, arts & crafts, professional mentoring, and summer and athletic programs, for area children who need them the most.
The event will honor John Walsh, American television personality, criminal investigator, human and victim rights advocate and host/creator of America's Most Wanted; and Cesar L. Alvarez, co-chairman of Greenberg Traurig and Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade alumnus. Walsh will receive the Bebe Rebozo Humanitarian Award. Alvarez will receive the Community Leadership Award.
“Wild About Kids” was voted one of the Top 100 Events of 2011 by BizBash, which selects annual gatherings based on their impact on their respective industries and communities (and on the city) while innovating to stay on top.
The gala will kick off with a VIP party offering photo ops with honorees. A cocktail reception will preceed dinner and the program. An after party, also at Four Seasons Hotel Miami, will be held after the event. Guests will enjoy a fun-filled evening into the wee hours with Frank Sinatra-style entertainer Jeff Grainer, a D.J, dancing, an open bar and small bites.
Four Seasons Hotel Miami is located at 1435 Brickell Ave.Underwriting opportunities, starting at $300, still remain. Table sales are sold out. Individual tickets for the gala are still available at $500 per ticket, and for the after party at $50 per ticket.
Gala co-chairs are Lana DeSimone, Irene Korge and Eris Thomas; special events chair is Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade former Board President Olga Guilarte. Gala committee members are Tom Bezold, Amy Deupi, Judy Kramer, Eddie Lacasa, Nina Mendieta, Alfredo Mesa, Joanne Messing, Joanne Silva, Rae Stein and Maggie Zulueta.
“The gala is our greatest fundraiser, because it benefits thousands of children at our five clubs on so many levels – especially the education of hands-on skills that cannot be learned in schools,” said Lana. “Many of our children stay friends for life. These priceless skills benefit everyone our kids meet, from parents to professionals."
For more information about sponsorship and underwriting opportunities, in-kind gift donations, and tickets, please contact Astrid H. Ehrenstein, director of special events & development at 305-446-9910 ext. 30 or aehrenstein@bgcmia.org.
Shake-A-Leg Miami (SALM) is shaking things up once again with their Sunset at the Shake event, as part of the Bacardi’s Bringing People Together series. Shake-A-Leg Miami honors Ring by Name, the first of our Community BayWorks Partner, with cocktails and culinary delights Thursday, Oct. 24, from 6 – 8 pm.
Enjoy a celebration of opportunities and possibilities and learn all about this wonderful, non-profit organization that launches boats and dreams.
Shake-A-Leg Miami is South Florida's premier, adaptive watersports community serving people of all abilities. With a series of programs offered seven days a week year-round, they provide a number of opportunities for children, youth, and adults with or without physical or mental challenges, to experience the beauty of Miami’s gem that is Biscayne Bay.
Shake A Leg is located at 2600 S. Bayshore Drive.
A donation of $10 per person is requested to fund scholarships for disabled and disadvantaged children.
To RSVP, please contact Jenny at 305-858-5550, ext. 1, or jenny@shakealegmiami.org. Parking validation will also be available.
