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.

Happy Independence Day - 2025 - Have a safe and fun 4th!

Alexandra, Katherine, Meredith and I all wish a very Happy Independence Day to you and your families! 

This is a holiday to celebrate, the day we celebrate the birth of our great nation, the creation of the greatest system of freedom and democracy. All of this occurred due to the great physical and financial sacrifice of the founders of this nation, the brave men and women of yesterday and today who have sacrificed so greatly to ensure the traditions bestowed by our remarkable founders. We owe them vigilance, and the willingness to defend the democracy they have passed on to you.

Independence Day has been celebrated since 1776.  But do you know the year that July 4 officially made a Federal Holiday?  Would you believe 1941? Check out the History.com page regarding July 4, for additional information.

Let us continue to look to a future that belongs to all of us - a future that ‘we, the people’ have the power to create.

Happy Independence Day – 2025.

Protect Your Pets on July 4th Protect your pets on this fourth of July holiday - it is not a 'pet-friendly' holiday.  They don't understand what all the ruckus is about. (See my blog post of June 24, 2016 - CLICK HERE - to view my full post and important links) July 4th weekends are a busy time for pet shelters. Many pets get frightened and run off during fireworks. Pets are severely distressed by the noise of fireworks. Remember, dogs' and cats' hearing is much more sensitive than ours, so those loud booms can be extremely uncomfortable! A wiser choice for your pet is for you to bring your pet inside the house and make sure that your special friend is safely tucked into a room with a television or radio on. It is recommended that if you are not staying home with your pet, make sure that their favorite hiding spot is available so they can run to a place in the house where they feel safe ---- this could be under the bed, in the closet or even their pet crate.  If you are home, stay near them, speak to them and let them know that they are safe. Please take the time - CLICK HERE - to view a .PDF put out by Miami-Dade County Animal Services - July 4th Pet Safety Tips.

Thank you Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer - the facts - Commissioner DCH picks up where Palmetto Bay dropped our very popular Independence Day community celebration

Answering your questions - how did we get to Palmetto Bay dropping one of its signature events - the 'downtown Independence Day celebration' - this event has always been promoted by the current elected officials, selling Palmetto Bay's Independence Day as when "The Village will ring in Independence Day with patriotic spirit and pride in a day filled with wholesome, all-American fun for the entire family!" This event had been FREE to the public thanks to the many sponsors and vendors who worked so diligently to bring this event to our community.  

So why then was this wholesome, all-American fun for the entire family event abruptly cancelled without warning? For years, this has been the day when neighbors gather, children wave American flags, and families watch fireworks light up the summer sky. One of our signature events that really signed how Palmetto Bay is a great place to live work and play!

The village didn’t announce the termination publicly, hold a community meeting, or give residents a chance to speak up. Instead, they quietly mentioned the cancellation in passing during the May council meeting on just one slide in a PowerPoint. They claimed "The Shores Development" needed the space to build their high-rise. Really? This event was much more than fireworks and so little of it actually occurred on the Shores property. The choice to cancel rather than find a solution puts development ahead of our community values. Perhaps the real reason is they have no money. Or its no longer needed as a political event as 4/5 of this counsel is term limited. It was for the residents, not the politicians!

However, Palmetto Bay's Vice Mayor, Mark Merwitzer, is not to be deterred. He reached out to County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins for a solution.  She stepped up. High energy between them.

Thank you Commissioner Cohen Higgins - picking up as scheduling the first ever "Fourth on the Fairway" at Palmetto Golf Course.  This will serve Palmetto Bay and surrounding areas now that local Palmetto Bay officials have "86'd" our downtown community Independence Day celebration.  It was a great event while it lasted. Now, perhaps, the Commissioner's event can fill that void of great community community events. I'm impressed with the scope of the activities listed - food, live music, picnic on the green and - of course - fireworks!

Here is the note from the commissioner posted on her Instagram page: 

"With the 4th of July fireworks cancelled by the Village of Palmetto Bay this year, we got to work to do everything we could to make sure this special South Dade tradition continues! So proud to announce the first ever Fourth on the Fairway!

After the 4th of July Parade in the morning in Cutler Bay, we can’t wait to see you and your families for a most spectacular fireworks show in the evening at the newly renovated Palmetto Golf course! It will be a showcase of our beautiful Miami Dade County park, a celebration of our nations birthday and an opportunity to come together as one community. Can’t wait to see you at Fourth on the Fairway!"

Thank you Commissioner DCH for stepping up and Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer for looking out for our community in working to keep our Independence Day celebration going for the Palmetto Bay area.  Personally, I would like to see our Vice Mayor get this event back on track here in Palmetto Bay for future years.  

Palmetto Bay drops our community Independence Day celebration - so County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins steps up

Thank you Commissioner Cohen Higgins - Palmetto Bay officials dropped our downtown community Independence Day celebration.  It was a great event while it lasted.

I'm impressed with the scope of the activities listed - food, live music, picnic on the green and - of course - fireworks!

Thank you for stepping in and keeping our Independence Day celebration going for the Palmetto Bay area.  Here are the details:

Dear Friends and Residents, I am thrilled to invite you to our Inaugural Independence Day Celebration, 'Fourth on the Fairway' on Friday, July 4th, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the newly renovated Palmetto Golf Course. This family-friendly event is open to all and promises an evening full of community spirit, great fun, and patriotic pride—culminating in a spectacular fireworks show to light up the night sky. Event Details: Palmetto Golf Course | 9300 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33157 Friday, July 4th | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Fireworks show begins at sundown Please note: Due to the popularity of this event, we anticipate increased traffic and larger crowds in the surrounding area. We encourage all attendees to plan accordingly, use caution when traveling, and be mindful of pedestrians and fellow residents. We look forward to celebrating our nation’s independence with you and your family!

Register Here

As always, I am with you every step of the way. Yours in service, Danielle

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.

Preparing for Independence Day - 2022 - Make preparations to keep pets safe.

Protect Your Pets on July 4th

Protect your pets on this fourth of July holiday - as it is not a 'pet-friendly' holiday.  They don't understand what all the ruckus is about. (See my blog - CLICK HERE - to view my full post and important links)

July 4th and 5th are busy days for pet shelters. Many pets get frightened and run off during fireworks. Pets are severely distressed by the noise of fireworks. Remember, dogs' and cats' hearing is much more sensitive than ours, so those loud booms can be extremely uncomfortable!

A wiser choice for your pet is for you to bring your pet inside the house and make sure that your special friend is safely tucked into a room with a television or radio on. It is recommended that if you are not staying home with your pet, make sure that their favorite hiding spot is available so they can run to a place in the house where they feel safe ---- this could be under the bed, in the closet or even their pet crate.  If you are home, stay near them, speak to them and let them know that they are safe. 

Please take the time - CLICK HERE - to view a .PDF put out by Miami-Dade County Animal Services - July 4th Pet Safety Tips.

Happy Earth Day - 2021. Keep pushing for sustainability.

 Where are we in regards to protecting our fragile ecosystem?

Do you know the approximate age of the Earth? 4.543 billion years. Yet today, 4/22/2021 is just the 51st Earth Day celebration. Its a great time marker to celebrate, but a single day, or even a week is insufficient to preserve this wonderful life providing planet. We must act 24/7/365. And ACTING on Earth Day is more than just a movie night, it is taking action and participating, doing things differently, ending (sub)Urban Sprawl.

A brief history of Earth Day: The April 22 Earth Day was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, and was first organized in 1970 to promote ecology and respect for life on the planet as well as to encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water and soil pollution.

I am proud to have led Palmetto Bay and created more than a simple Earth Day Celebration, but set Palmetto Bay to be committed to Earth Day 24/7/365. We don’t just recognize a day, we are now in big, in such a big way, that we take a full week to celebrate. Green activities, all free to the public, have been going this past week. We continue to involve our youth in partnership with the local schools as they are going to inherit what we leave behind.

I milestone we all should be proud of : Friday, July 20, 2018, Palmetto Bay was certified by the FGBC as a Green City. Next stop is Silver and then Gold Certification so long as the subsequent councils continue to subscribe to the green footprints cast before them.

 

 

Participating in a python hunt to 
remove an invasive species

What, if anything, are you doing to mark this event?  Please feel free to CLICK HERE for past updates on Earth Day. I recommend that you also take the time to review the Official Green Page of Palmetto Bay: "Palmetto Bay Village Green" which has both information of all the events of the week as well as the ongoing green efforts of our village. 

Prior relevant blog posts: Some relevant posts on my personal blog include Invasive Species, creating a backyard oasis, Celestial Events: there have been many posts throughout this blog covering these topics and how they are relevant to our South Miami-Dade Communities. Please take the time to check a few out. It is all about my transparency. I am about preservation of Palmetto Bay. That means thinking differently, saving the 22 acres of the rapidly deteriorating Pine Rocklands at the Palmetto Bay Village Center.

Finally, on a silly, but fun note, no special day is complete without viewing Google's special Earth Day animated doodle on the Google site.

Happy Earth Day – 2021!

Eugene Flinn

It’s Groundhog’s Day – once again. But this time it’s virtual. We won’t notice the difference, but for the size of the crowds we see on the screen. How/where to tune in to follow the events.

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 - is Groundhog’s Day – once again. But this time it’s virtual. We won’t notice the difference, but for the size of the crowds we see (or won't see) on the screen. How/where to tune in to follow the events.

Punxsutawney Phil will leave his burrow at 7:25 a.m. February 2nd at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania when h will perform his annual duty to observe the weather conditions and look for his shadow. He will then make his prediction for the remainder of winter. One place to look for Punxsutawney Phil is www.groundhog.org to view it online!

The Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club takes the COVID-19 threat seriously and is looking out for the health of all who would like to participate. The club determined that there will not be any in person attendance or guests on the grounds due to the potential Covid risks. 

There will be a live ceremony and prognostication, but no live attendance of spectators. All are invited to participate virtually including television, Internet and live steaming. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club developed numerous live internet, website and virtual events and interactions that will take the place of the traditional in person events.  

Information regarding these virtual events is listed on their website:  www.groundhog.org.  

EDITOR’S NOTE: Strange. We here in sunny South Florida can for the first (and hopefully yhe only time) enjoy the annual Groundhog’s Day event with Punxsutawney Phil to the very same extent as the locals!

I do want to see this event live sometime, obviously not this year. It is a fun event.

A community effort. Outgoing Palmetto Bay Council Member David Singer seeks your donations to Team up to “Spike” Kim Latshaw Ortiz’s Cancer

Join with many members of the Palmetto HS, and surrounding communities. Outgoing Palmetto Bay Council Member David Singer seeks your donations to Team up to “Spike” Kim’s Cancer

Let's Fight Kim's Cancer Together, as a Community

From:David Singer (dmsinger@bellsouth.net)

To:

Date:Tuesday, December 8, 2020, 10:24 AM EST

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

I am taking the time to ask all of you to join in on helping a long time resident, teacher, coach, and neighbor of Palmetto Bay "Spike" cancer.

Every now and then, God gives us a special one.  One that is constantly giving back for the betterment of those around them. Kim Latshaw Ortiz is the epitome of that. Kim has been a part of the Palmetto Bay community for most of her life. She and older brother Chuck were raised here by their parents Chuck Sr. and Donna. She was a phenomenal local athlete playing for Palmetto High School, Miami-Dade College and finishing her degree at South Alabama, having earned scholarships to both schools. After graduating, Kim came back to South Florida to teach Physical Education at both her Alma Mater and Barbara Goleman High School. She has also spent many weekends playing in and hosting beach volleyball tournaments. As a wife and mother, Kim instilled that same love of sports to her children. Her husband, Carlos, and her two children, Carlitos and Amaya, participate in many sports as they understand much like Kim, team sports are not so much about winning or losing but about building that competitive spirit and promoting those around you to better themselves. As a teacher and coach, she instilled in so many teenagers the value of work ethic, pride, courage, respect, self-worth and fight. She is now in for the fight of her life, and has been since May 2019. The only difference with her fight today, off the court, is that if she cannot get this last treatment option, cancer will prevail. Now it is OUR time to team up for her! We have all been touched and blessed by Kim's vibrant and giving spirit. There is not a better and more deserving person in this community than Kim to have whatever opportunity she can to beat this. Please click below and donate whatever you can. Let's show Kim the team she has behind her! We are with you Kim!

Kim's GoFundMe

Meeting Reminder: Tune in and Participate regarding the Ludlam Trail. Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Project meeting/update via Zoom, Nov. 19, 6 PM. Info and links provided.

Engage. Participate. Important public meeting is set and you can attend from the comfort of your home or office! No travel required.

The LUDLAM TRAIL will be a 5.6-mile, iconic greenway with paths for biking, walking, and running, connecting the heart of Miami-Dade. The trail will link schools, parks, transit, homes, workplaces and spots to shop & dine. 

The land was recently purchased by Miami-Dade County; a Project Development & Environment study and design of the trail are now underway. Stretching north-south from Robert King High Park to Downtown Kendall, this trail will form part of the “Miami Loop” in the county’s network of bikeways, along with the Underline. 

(CLICK HERE) to view the Public Information Meeting as well as the Ludlum Trail Corridor PD&E Study Virtual Public Meeting Invitation (2 pages of .PDF) where more information is available as well as how to register and participate in the virtual meeting. 

Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces is performing a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the 5.6-mile-long Ludlam Trail Corridor from SW 80th Street to 400 feet north of NW 7th Street, generally following the north-south alignment of what would be NW/SW 69th Avenue, within the former Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway right-of-way. The project is located in unincorporated Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami, Florida.

The purpose of the Ludlam Trail is to provide a new shared-use trail in Miami-Dade County that will include safe, dedicated, direct pathways for walking, running, and cycling; to encourage active lifestyles and the use of green, non-motorized modes of transportation; and to enhance overall connectivity and accessibility between schools, parks, transit stops and residences, workplaces and shopping.

The proposed project supports the vision to provide an interconnected trail system offering transportation alternatives and reducing traffic congestion for a livable, sustainable County. Ludlam Trail will be a vital component of a seamless network of future greenway trails and water trails connecting to the Metrorail Dadeland North Station to the south and to other planned trails including The Underline/East Coast Greenway, South Dade Trail, Snapper Creek Trail, East/West Trail and Merrick Trail. It will enhance mobility and strengthen connections to neighboring communities, providing increased opportunities for economic development. 

Join our PD&E Virtual Public Information Meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Ludlam Trail PD&E Fact Sheet 
Ludlam Trail PD&E Virtual Meeting invitation

Topic

Ludlam Trail PD&E - Virtual Public Information Meeting

Description

The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces invites you to attend a Virtual Public Meeting regarding the proposed Ludlam Trail Corridor.

The virtual meeting will include a presentation of work in progress and include an interactive opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions about the project. This virtual meeting is being held to allow interested persons an opportunity to be informed about the proposed trail and provide comments. There will be a brief presentation at the beginning of the meeting starting at 6:15 pm.

Time

Nov 19, 2020 06:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Prior related posts - Ludlum Trail:

July 29, 2015, The Warren County Bike Trail - I contend that this is a model for the Ludlum Trail

October 4, 2019, NY Government for improved natural/recreational facilities. “DEC: Rail line should be deemed “interim trail”.

October 21, 2020, Tune in and Participate. Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces is performing a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the 5.6-mile-long Ludlam Trail Corridor.

I hope to see you there!

Reason to Run - 2020 pandemic version. The need remains critical, so the event goes on as best it can. Please read, donate and participate.

People have been asking me if I plan to run. I do. Join me. I may no longer hold public office, but I continue to strongly support this event. The Cancerfree Kids Reason To Run has traditionally been held the first Saturday after Halloween as a live 5K run. Members of the Palmetto Bay Village Policing Unit have traditionally volunteered their time and assisted in logistics. Alex & I are fortunate to have been involved with the very first race and have run it often. You don't have to run it to participate in the online auction event or donate. This year is different. It is a virtual event. See details:

Sofia's Hope Virtual Reason to Run - 5K and 13.1

Run Anytime / Anywhere by November 7th, 2020.

My personal plea: Just do it! Run as your schedule permits. Run at your own pace. So many activities and events have been slowed, rescheduled, or cancelled due to the Pandemic. Do you know what hasn't slowed? Medical issues, diseases like childhood cancer. Charities such as https://www.sofiashope.org/ continue to need our help.

I have posted the details provided in an e-mail update (below) that I received on 10/28/2020. Read up for details or follow the links provided to view the official website.

A Democrat, a Republican, and a Libertarian walk into a bar, and in an unanticipated moment of unity they agree on three things:

• Nickelback is maligned more than is warranted
• Pringles are inexplicably satisfying
• Kids with cancer should have safe and effective treatments available to them

Despite all the challenges that 2020 has delivered, Sofia’s Hope remains committed to providing support to families whose children have been diagnosed with cancer and to researchers trying to discover better ways to treat them. If those are goals you want to support, we have three ways for you to do it:

Join us for the Wine & Cheese: An Online Auction THIS WEEKEND. If you register now (for free), you’ll be entered in the drawing for a $250 Visa Gift Card! We’ve got great stuff in every price range, so get a jump on your holiday shopping and have some socially-distanced fun!

If you’d like to enjoy libations and snacks while you bid, take advantage of the Hope sponsorship and we’ll deliver the Wine and Cheese experience to your home before the bidding starts.

After you shop and imbibe, register for the virtual Reason to Run 5K or Half-Marathon at https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Miami/ReasontoRun. You don’t have to walk/run it all at once (or at all – we won’t tell). Just signing up will entitle you to a custom medal and mask. We love you that much!

Hoping you affiliate with one of our parties,

Reason to Run 5K
jorgeandlinda@bellsouth.net

ABOUT SOFIA'S HOPE (from the event website)

Our mission is to

Raise childhood cancer awareness and the fact that children are dying every day waiting for promising new treatments;

Fund childhood cancer research and advances in treatment, especially as it relates to their long-term effects (including prevention, detection and treatment); and

Offer programs that enhance the quality of life of children with cancer and their families.

Sofia’s Hope, Inc. recognizes that in the fight against childhood cancer there have to be two simultaneous approaches. Research funding which will have a long term impact and the development of patient and family programs that support those going through the journey TODAY.

PRIOR RELATED POSTS:

October 17, 2017, Have you registered yet? TENTH ANNUAL “REASON TO RUN” 5K TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH - Sat., Nov 4

November 1, 2016, A busy weekend - Saturday, November 5 - Two competing 5Ks and a Pine Rockland clean up

Third party recommendations for a safe Halloween, 2020

Start thinking of your private bubble & what Trick or Treat

activities you will participate in.

Halloween Covid-19 edition

The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) lists information for Fall/Winter holiday celebrations

The CDC offers the following considerations to help protect individuals, their families, friends, and communities from COVID-19. 

As noted on the CDC website:
These considerations are meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which holiday gatherings must comply. When planning to host a holiday celebration, you should assess current COVID-19 levels in your community to determine whether to postpone, cancel, or limit the number of attendees.

Virus spread risk at holiday celebrations

Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household pose low risk for spread. In-person gatherings pose varying levels of risk. Event organizers and attendees should consider the risk of virus spread based on event size and use of mitigation strategies, as outlined in the Considerations for Events and Gatherings. There are several factors that contribute to the risk of getting infected or infecting others with the virus that causes COVID-19 at a holiday celebration. In combination, these factors will create various amounts of risk, so it is important to consider them individually and together:

CLICK HERE to read the complete information from the official CDC website.