Community project: Clean-Up and Preserve the Biggest Pine Rocklands Habitat outside of Everglades National Park - Saturday June 27th: Miami-Dade’s “Larry & Penny Thompson Park”

It was my honor to participate in the Clean-up project at one of Miami-Dade County’s natural parks - Larry & Penny Thompson Park.  It was made even better by the fact that this was a family event. Alexandra and Katherine participated alongside me and over 100 other people to make this event successful.

I am posting some photos from this very successful event – Thank you to the organizers and participants.

More photos from this event are available on Facebook.

CLICK HERE to view the official Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition page.  Please like/join this page to keep up with the issues regarding the imperiled Pine Rocklands in Miami-Dade County

CLICK HERE to view my Facebook page 

CLICK HERE to view my official page -
Eugene Flinn, Mayor of Palmetto Bay - (and please click to "like" this page in order to follow official Mayor updates regarding Palmetto Bay and surrounding areas.  


What is/who makes up the board for the Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition? 

(Info below taken verbatim from their official website: http://miamipinerocklandscoalition.org/)

The Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition, a broad coalition of scientists, elected officials, business leaders, and environmentalists, met this week and elected a Board of Directors in their continuing efforts to protect the environmentally sensitive Richmond Pine Rocklands, from out of town developers hoping to bulldoze and pave it over for proposed Commercial, Residential and Theme Park Developments. The new Board of Directors is as follows: President Al Sunshine : Retired Investigative Reporter and Digital Journalist who celebrated 40 years in local and network broadcasting based out of South Florida.  Vice President Maria Belen Valladares : Former legislative aide to the Florida House of Representatives, co-founder and vice-president of Floridians in Action, public insurance adjuster and realtor with Realty World South Florida. Treasurer Carla Bernabei-Talarico CPA: Retired Miami Beach city manager and owns her own accounting and tax preparation business.  Secretary Zac Cosner: UM student, former Eagle Scout and Volunteer with the Tropical Audubon Society, who has made notable contributions to the Coalition.  Member-at-Large William “Cully” Waggoner:  The Coalition’s researcher, a customer-relations professional and Social Media/ Marketing Expert.

Stay tuned and participate in upcoming events.

WOW, over a week without blogging - my bad

This was such a busy week.  Working, biking riding, training, and I participated in some very interesting events over the last 8 days.  Updates are coming for those interested in what is going on.

Photos of the Day - Mainland Marsh Rabbit

Natural Palmetto Bay.  I came across this little guy while out on the Saturday morning ride.  These photos were the best I could do with an iPhone.

Research, A/K/A answer from a friend, indicates that this is a marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris) which is a small cottontail rabbit that can be found in marshes and swamps of coastal regions of the Eastern and Southern United States. 

CLICK HERE to view the Wikipedia description.  

Located Saturday AM, June 20, 2015, in Palmetto Bay, Florida.

Traffic Calming Initiatives - Palmetto Bay efforts at preserving our quality of life

Missed the traffic calming meeting? CLICK HERE to view the Traffic Calming Initiatives prepared by the Village. 

Please review and advise as to your comments and concerns. 

You can use a single e-mail to reach the entire village council: council@palmettobay-fl.gov. A single click to reach us all - one and done!

Your input is always appreciated.

June 14th - Flag Day. Fly it with pride. Happy Flag Day 2015.

Why is June 14 designated as "Flag Day"?  Well, because June 14, 1777, is the date that the US Congress officially adopted our nation's flag.

The U.S. flag has been modified 26 times since its adoption in 1777. Today's 50-star flag, created in 1960, has been in use the longest. Check out: Flag Day 2013: 9 things you never knew about the American Flag for interesting reading/facts about this day and the American Flag.

Also see Time and date .com - Flag Day in United States

An updated article is also online - the International Business Times, Flag Day 2015 USA: 10 Facts To Know About The Star-Spangled Banner by Julia Glum.  Two of may favorites are numbers 9 & 10:

9. The current design of the U.S. flag was created by Robert G. Heft, who made the pattern for a high school project. He earned a B- at first, but when the government chose it, his teacher raised the grade to an A.
10. There are six American flags on the moon. Five are standing, but Neil Armstrong's fell over.
 Nothing like winning a national competition to raise your grade.

Experience Independence Day Celebration in Downtown Palmetto Bay, and Cutler Bay

The event activities include a large variety of food & beverage vendors, a Zumba demo, music by Jade Sanders and Colbert Band, a free Fun Zone for kids, a beer-garden for adults, a patriotic costume contest and a spectacular fireworks show for everyone! 

The free downtown festivities, takes place from 5 to 9:30 p.m at the Village Municipal Complex (Village Hall, 9705 E. Hibiscus St.), along Franjo Road, and up to the western edge of Palmetto Bay Park. Fireworks will launch from the center of the softball fields at 9pm. 

Remember to bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Personal BBQ grills will not be permitted. 

Interested in supporting our event as a corporate or individual sponsor? Please email events@palmettobay-fl.gov for more details or call 305-259-1245. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jDWC7Lg-fY

And don't forget - 0n the Fourth of July - Mangowood Estates Citizens' Association at the entrance to the Mangowood neighborhood (SW 152 St. & SW 84 Ct.) it is timed to take advantage of an awe-inspiring fly-over by F16 Fighting Falcon Jets from the Homestead USAF base scheduled to  take place 11-11:15 a.m. Take a moment to go out, look up and enjoy the fly over!

CUTLER BAY-

A great day of events - Saturday July 4th at Whispering Pines Park! CLICK HERE to view the official event flyer for details.

Events start at 8:15 AM (Parade registration in school parking lot). The Parade begins at 9:00 AM. F16 Fighting Falcon Jets from the Homestead USAF base scheduled to take place 11-11:15 AM.

There is the outstanding annual parade with floats, decorated bikes, food, music, fun and the fly-over!  The parade route circles Whispering Pines Lake.  This event is sponsored by the Town of Cutler Bay and the Whispering Pines Civic Association as well as the Whispering Pines Woman's Club.

Different places with the same issues - "Stop honking at me and support bike infrastructure"

Outstanding read. I have experience both as a bicyclist and a driver. 

Please review the article from MINNPOST - posted on June 5, 2015, by Lindsey Wallace: Stop honking at me and support bike infrastructure Biking in Mpls

The author's points are well made: 
"If you want cyclists to get out of your way, support funding for dedicated bike lanes. Bikes cannot ride on the sidewalk, so don’t assume that’s an option. The street is all we have, and the only option is to share the road. I don’t want to feel your wrath as I’m trying to enjoy my morning commute; I don’t want to inconvenience you. I’m sorry you’re frustrated, but I don’t have a choice."

There is lively debate from all sides in the comment section.  I worked hard as Mayor of Palmetto Bay in my first two terms to improve our infrastructure.  The Village prepared a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan back in 2009.  I returned to office to continue the vision.  I am committed to moving forward to improve our city, making it bike and car friendly and safe for all.

Please work with me to make this a reality.  Palmetto Bay's Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan is a start, but it needs to be fully implemented.  CLICK HERE to view Palmetto Bay's Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan posted on the official Village web site (please be patient with the download. It is 52 pages).

Is your family hurricane plan updated? Ready or not, the 2015 hurricane season has arrived.

What have you done to prepare for this year? A single storm can cause more than just dollars in damages.  It can cost human lives. We know from experience that people are more likely to be safer and have the ability to recover more quickly when they are properly prepared.  The 2015 hurricane season is here (June 1, 2015). You should have your disaster preparedness kit and have a plan to keep your family safe.  Is your insurance coverage adequate? Those living near the coast should be familiar with the applicable evacuation routes.  Everyone needs to take personal responsibility for yourself, your family and your pets.  By making proper preparations, you will allow the first responders to focus on helping the most vulnerable residents.

I have posted several important links below for hurricane / Disaster Preparedness information from FEMA, Miami-Dade County, Cutler Bay, Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay in one location for you.  There is also information on how to register with Miami-Dade Alerts, a wireless emergency alerting system.  Register for this free service and receive local weather and hurricane alerts to your computer or cell phone. 

Town of Cutler Bay Hurricane Preparedness Page

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS Page - important links

http://www.cutlerbay-fl.gov/hurricane.php 

Please take the time to review Palmetto Bay on-line –

the Village of Palmetto Bay Disaster Preparedness Guide:

http://www.palmettobay-fl.gov/content/disaster-preparedness 

Village of Pinecrest Hurricane Preparedness Page

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS Page - important links
http://www.pinecrest-fl.gov/index.aspx?page=344
Listen to Pinecrest Radio on your car radio at 1590 AM. The station regularly broadcasts announcements and, during an emergency, will provide important information to Pinecrest residents. 

Miami-Dade County’s Emergency pages – Hurricane preparedness:

http://www.miamidade.gov/oem/hurricanes.asp

http://www.miamidade.gov/hurricane/

What about your pets?  Pet Disaster Preparedness 
Miami-Dade County has resources available online for Emergency planning for your pets:

 http://www.miamidade.gov/animals/library/disaster_tip_sheet_eng.pdf

Download the tip sheet from Miami-Dade Animal Services, Disaster Preparedness - Animal Supplies Checklist:

http://www.miamidade.gov/animals/library/disaster_tip_sheet_eng.pdf

FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency. U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Plan and prepare for a disaster: http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm 

Miami-Dade Alerts 
Miami-Dade County has some important resources to help keep you informed and prepared, like the free Hurricane Guide and Miami-Dade Alerts, a wireless emergency alerting system.  Internet users can register for this free service and receive local weather and hurricane alerts.  I encourage everyone to register online at http://www.inspironlogistics.com/wens/miami_dade/wens.cfm?wens_id=miami_dade