Update on the Around Palmetto Bay candidate forum - activities for the kids - A Non- Partisan Meet & Greet with Candidates on Sat | Oct 3rd | 1:30-3:30 pm

UPDATE - Around Palmetto Bay, is hosting a candidate forum @ Gold Coast Railroad Museum - A Non- Partisan Meet & Greet with Candidates on Sat | Oct 3rd | 1:30-3:30 pm - think about what matters most to you & your families living in Palmetto Bay. You can email the questions by 10/2 to lmerkin@me.com Lisa Visnich Merkin

Bring the family down, there will be food & crafts - entrance and parking are FREE!

Make a day of it and enjoy the museum before or after the forum! The group will be setting up a story time so you can focus on the elections while your kiddos are entertained.

Palmetto Bay Candidate Forum put together / hosted by Around Palmetto Bay - Saturday, October 3rd - 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM.

I am providing initial information relating to the Palmetto Bay Candidate Forum put together / hosted by Around Palmetto Bay. This event will be held inside the hanger at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum.

There will also be a question and answer forum beginning at 1:30. Questions will be sent in from the community and asked to each candidate.

There will also be a 2 minute time period prior to the Q and A for each candidate to introduce themselves and why they are running.

Wasting no time - the seasonal fall foliage has begun to change - Upstate NY - PODs

September has just started. The Falls colors are just beginning to make an appearance in Upstate NY.  

Here are a few photos of the day - enjoy!

Update - arrest made in the SUV v Cyclist road rage incident

The Miami-Dade Sheriffs Office made an arrest in the case of the SUV v Cyclists road rage incident of Saturday, August 22, 2026 - see prior post: Road rage incident against cyclists on 87th avenue - the Palmetto Bay / Cutler Bay border. Allegations of a gun being fired.

Here is the information I have as of date of this posting:

Raimiero Rios, booking date 8-25-2026. He is currently facing three felonies.

Case(s) Information
Case Number: F26016908
Charge: ASSAULT/ AGGRAVATED/ WITH A FIREARM Bond: $ 5000 **
Charge: BATTERY/ AGGRAVATED/ WITH A DEADLY WEAPON Bond: TO BE SET **
Charge: FIREARM/ DISCHARGE FROM A VEHICLE Bond: TO BE SET **
Bond Information
Charge Satisfied: No
Bond Submitted:

Info above taken verbatim from the MDC Inmate search.

Note that the Defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. 

Road rage incident against cyclists on 87th avenue - the Palmetto Bay / Cutler Bay border. Allegations of a gun being fired.

Saturday, August 22, 2026: Road rage against cyclists on 87th heading out of Palmetto Bay and into Cutler Bay. 

What is wrong with some drivers?

   

 I will be watching to see if an investigation occurs and if any arrests are made.

The video is from a cycling group heading toward Blackpoint Marina on SW 87 Avenue, a popular route heading south. 

There are some very troubled people out there who want to take their problems out on people on bicycles, using their car as a weapon. 

It appears from this video that the car was not the only weapon applied - witnesses advised that he used a weapon to fire off a shot that can be heard at the end of the video.

I join with others who hope the police will find this guy and punish him for his dangerous and aggressive behavior. BICYCLES HAVE A RIGHT TO THE ROAD! Nobody deserves to die because you don’t agree with that!

87th Bridge - photos of the protected bike lanes and separate multi-path for pedestrians

I received several inquiries from FOSDU regarding the protected bike lanes and the separate multi-purpose path for pedestrians.  I am posting 3 photos that I feel best show how these features will work.

[Above: closed view - there is a low rise barrier that separates cyclists from motorists. The pedestrian multipath is raised on this section of the bridge. This delineates and separates the cyclists from the pedestrians. The low rise barrier (or curbing) separates the motorists from both the cyclists as well as the pedestrians.]

(Above: a full view of the bridge as it existed on 5/13/2026. Centerline striping in place)

Above: This photo best represents the relative scaping that is provided for the motor vehicles (full lanes), the full bike lane as well as the wide pedestrian multi-path.

Please note that final striping and signage is not in place - which will help advise motorists, cyclists and pedestrians as to how this bridge will best function. 

87th Avenue Bridge pics - Signs say "Road Closed" but not for long

We have all been watching the progress of the bridge over the last few years. I am posting some photos of this soon to be opened bridge. These photos were taken Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

NOTE: The bridge is currently closed for vehicular traffic

A general view of the southbound lane (above left) with a close up of the pedestrian walkway and protected bike lane (above right)

Posted below is a close up of the pedestrian walkway and protected bike lane - there is a real issue as to whether these amenities will be limited to the bridge or the plans officials have (if any) to continue the protected bike lanes and walkway further along 87th Avenue. 

CLICK HERE to view prior posts relating to the history of the 87th Avenue Bridge.

2026 Mango Season looks promising - get ready for trading time!

Get ready for the annual Palmetto Bay Mango-fest!

March 11 - 2026- The blooms on our mango trees look healthy, though a bit behind the usual schedule (late blooming). This should be a big year, assuming no fungus or foul weather including the heavy winds that often arrive in March. 

We will be looking for help in trades once again this year. Participants will once again be doing me a favor by taking the fruit we cannot use (fruit drop - spoilage - is a waste - and attracts vermin).  Trades have historically included non-mango fruit swaps as well as mangoes in exchange for samples that included mango bread and jam, dried mango and chutney. I have received backyard Palmetto Bay home produced eggs. I am always open for new trades. This is our Palmetto Bay community!

Serious note - one of the best trades is simply seeing the fruit leave my yard without spoiling to be enjoyed by others. Mango trees can be quite overwhelming at times.

CLICK HERE to see prior posts on my "Flinn Family Mango Co-Op" including the rules and some recopies.  Mango season is approaching. Get ready to enjoy.  

I have posted photos of some of our trees taken on March 11, 2026:

Know your holidays - Know your Grubers

You're welcome!

Future topics - look for a future controversial Christmas post: 
Is “Yippee Ki-Yay” a proper greeting at Christmas time?

Moving deeper into the Christmas season: Peanuts Gang : Christmas Song "Linus & Lucy"

Enjoy.  Merry Christmas.

Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives - HD Audio - Kicking off Christmas music season

A well known ear worm.   am now passing it on to you.

Enjoy.  Merry Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving 2025 - and remember - the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line is ready to assist with that holiday mean questions.

The holiday season is officially upon us!  Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

There is much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. Alexandra, Katherine, Meredith and I wish you and your family the happiest of holidays.

Like millions of others across this great country, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, honoring a tradition older than the nation itself. The Continental Congress proclaimed that the "inhabitants of these states" observe a day of Thanksgiving back in 1782.  Ever since then we set this day aside to give thanks for all our blessings, and this year we have many things for which to be thankful.

Please also take the time to remember and help the less fortunate.  Many families and children are doing with less, Take the time to become involved in a local charity, with time, if not a donation. There are many ongoing charities that are looking for donations and volunteers.

Thanksgiving is the busiest traveling season of the year.  Please be aware and be safe.

One of my personal favorite quotes about a holiday:

On Thanksgiving Day all over America, families sit down to dinner at the same moment - halftime.

- (author unknown) 

Need last minute help with the holiday meal? The Butterball Turkey Talk-Line is ready to assist with that holiday mean questions.

• Phone: 1-800-BUTTERBALL (1-800-288-8372)
• Text: 844-877-3456
• Butterball’s Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Pinterest channels
• Visit Butterball.com to e-mail or chat live with the Turkey Talk-Line experts plus find trusted recipes, how-to videos and other resources.The backstory:

Every November and December since 1981, the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line’s professionally trained turkey experts have assisted millions of holiday cooks.

Your vote matters! Fat Bear week 2025 is underway. Do not miss out! Voting opens at 12 PM, Tuesday, 9/23/2025

We have reached that time of the year - FAT BEAR WEEK. This is an environmental education event.  Some of the largest brown bears on Earth make their home at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska. Brown bears get fat to survive, and Fat Bear Week is an annual tournament celebrating their success in preparation for winter hibernation. 

 An annual favorite - (Information below lifted from https://explore.org/fat-bear-week):

Vote for the fattest bear of the year! Some of the largest brown bears on Earth make their home at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska. Brown bears get fat to survive and Fat Bear Week is an annual tournament celebrating their success in preparation for winter hibernation. Matchups are open for voting September 23-30 between 12 - 9  p.m. Eastern / 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Pacific.

This is a single elimination tournament. For each match-up, vote for the bear you believe best exemplifies fatness and success in brown bears. The bear with the most votes advances to the next round. Only one will be crowned Fat Bear Week champion. Meet the bears, fill out your bracket, predict your fat bear winner, and campaign for your candidate. 

SDU NOTE: The contest is held by Katmai National Park & Preserve to promote public awareness about the wild brown bears of Alaska. Like scenic drives to see the changing leaves, it’s become a popular fall ritual in the United States and around the world.

The 2025 Fat Bear Week bracket:

CLICK HERE to view this official bracket online.

May the fattest bear win!

New litigation against Palmetto Bay. What now? Waiting for the relevant documents to go public.

 A lawsuit was fled by resident Alan Farquharson against the Village of Palmetto Bay. This suit was filed on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.  I am posting the docket to date.  The case has been assigned case number 2025-017648-CA-01 and has been assigned to Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz.

I am waiting to see the specifics.  The public docket to date merely lists "Other Civil Complaint" as case type.  It also appears that Mr. Farquharson has filed this case pro se, acting as his own attorney (at least for now).

The filings should be posted online for public view sometime Thursday, September 11, 2025.

Working remote. Hudson River Chestertown NY 8 25 2025

Another beautiful day in the Adirondacks. 

Vice Mayor Merwitzer - working to bring back a resident-centric local government - Join him at Coral Reef Park - this Thurs 8-28 5:45 PM

Remember when our local government held actual community workshops on the budget? Too few still remember.

Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer invites you to your park - Coral Reef Park - for the only up close and personal community conversation.

Per Vice Mayor Merwitzer: He is hosting a community conversation THIS THURSDAY and he needs YOU there.

Thursday, August 28th

5:45 PM - Sunset

Coral Reef Park Gazebo (near 77th Avenue)

Our village is bringing in more money than ever before, yet we're being told we can't afford police patrols and park hours that families depend on.

Meanwhile, the budget includes:

40% pay raises for council members

$3 million for a private pickleball facility

Guaranteed health insurance for council after we leave office

Does this make sense to you? It doesn't to me.

Come share your thoughts. Bring your neighbors.

Mark wants to work together with you, the residents, on solutions that put families first, because when residents like you show up and stay engaged, we protect the Palmetto Bay we all love.

The budget gets finalized in September. That's when we need you most.

See you Thursday at the park!

Call Mark directly at 786-309-6743

August 7 - Purple Heart Day. Remembering America's Veterans - special recognition for Purple Heart recipients

Palmetto Bay became the first South Florida "Purple Heart City" in 2016 - as per resolution 2016-40 that I was proud to sponsor as Mayor of Palmetto Bay.  It remains important to continue this recognition.

This is a national day of recognition. Purple Heart Day is observed on August 7 each year and is a time for Americans to pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

See Channel 10 News online: Palmetto Bay becomes first Purple Heart city in South Florida - Flag-raising ceremony held to commemorate honor, By Peter Burke - Local 10.com Managing Editor, posted: 1:22 PM, August 10, 2016.

See prior related post of August 12, 2016, Recognizing our Purple Heart Awardees. Palmetto Bay is now a Purple Heart City! where there are additional photos from this 2016 event

CLICK HERE to view other related posts recognizing our Veterans for their service.

Just for fun - Palmetto Bay Bird Feeder Cam - common grackles - bullies at the feeder cam

Just for fun.  No politics - just watching birds with elbows - looking to dominate at the feeder cam.

Follow up. Helllloooo, McFly? Bueller,... Bueller? Anyone hear the real reason for canceling Palmetto Bay's annual Independence Day celebration yet?

The drama continues to build - release the Shores files! Helllloooo, McFly? Bueller,... Bueller? Great movies and fun to quote - but running government is important business to be taken seriously and fair questions have been asked as to the real reason for canceling Palmetto Bay's annual Independence Day celebration. Any updates yet?

Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer has been following up for residents - he asked the important question to staff - in this case whether the Shores at Palmetto Bay has even been issued a building permit. This question was asked at the Village Council meeting held July 21, 2025. See the video excerpt below - the full meeting is available on the village website.

The answer given was that the Shores property has not received a building permit; that the Shores has not yet paid the impact fees.

So then - construction was not imminent, not before July 4th or even now, after this event should have taken place - so how is this alleged planned construction a viable excuse to cancel a major beloved beloved community event? 

SEE PRIOR RELATED POST OF Thursday, July 10, 2025, Full disclosure requested - what was the real reason for canceling Palmetto Bay's annual Independence Day celebration?

You have questions.  We'd like real answers.

Crying fowl - roosters and hens are continuing to populate Palmetto Bay - coming home to roost.

More updates on how Palmetto Bay is rapidly becoming home to more non-native wildlife.  This well-meaning resident is doing the right thing - posting on Next Door and looking for someone to adopt - let's hope this Rooster is not targeted for elimination like the Coral Reef Parks ducks (and geese) suffered in recent history.

PRIOR RELATED POST: August 14, 2024, Reader submissions - Chickens & Roosters multiplying at Coral Reef Park - non-native species appear to be thriving.

Please - rescue and find a home for this guy!

🚨 Friendly Rooster Abandoned at Coral Reef Park — Needs a Safe Home 🐓

Hi neighbors — I walk through Coral Reef Park regularly and noticed that someone appears to have abandoned a white rooster there recently. He’s clearly domesticated — friendly, a little confused, and walked right up to me making soft sounds, like he’s scared or lonely.

There are a lot of birds and ducks in the park, and while people do feed them, this rooster is not equipped to live outdoors without proper shelter. He’s vulnerable to stray cats, raccoons, dogs, and the weather — especially at night when chickens can’t see well. Roosters also crow early in the morning, which might put him at risk of being removed.

I’d really like to help him find a safe, permanent home. If anyone has a coop, farm, or safe yard with hens, or knows someone who does, please reach out.

He seems sweet and healthy, and I’m happy to help cover his initial expenses (food, supplies, vet check if needed) to ensure he’s cared for.

Please message me if you can help or have any leads. Thank you 🙏