Bike 305's “Bike To Work Day” – 2016 is scheduled for Friday, March 4

the 2016 Ride to Work meet up is scheduled for 8 AM at the University Metrorail Station.

Join in on the fun and celebrate Bike to Work Day and Bike305 Month!  Bike305’s Ride to Work Day is a great event – bring your bike, or just come on out and check it out.

Resolution & Ride begin at 8 AM

 

Arrive early for refreshments

FREE Bike305 performance cycling shirt for every cyclist!

Ride with Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez

CLICK HERE to view the official Bike305 website for more information about this and other exciting bike events.


Thank you Members of Bike 305 for your bicycle advocacy.  I am proud that Palmetto Bay is one of your Municipal partners. 

Eugene Flinn, Mayor
Village of Palmetto Bay.

Photos below from the 2015 Bike305 Ride to Work event:

(Pictured above Left - Team PBAY with Miami-Dade Parks Director Jack Kardys. Above Right - with School Board Member Susie Castillo)

Feb 20 - Community Day - PLANES, PLANTS, PESTS and PEOPLE are featured at the 2016 USDA‐ARS Community Day at Chapman Field.

Mark your calendars and plan on attending - Saturday, February 20, 2016 - 10:00 AM until 3:0 PM

The USDA has scheduled an outstanding opportunity to see what goes on at the USDA land off Old Cutler. This is a free family/community day. I recommend that you plan to attend.  Official information is posted on the flyer posted here or CLICK HERE to view the official website.
Come on out to the USDA research facility.  See how agricultural research and experiments are done, and learn the fascinating aviation history of this property (info below from USDA).

>This event will feature presentations by Dr. Ray McGuire on the famous aviator Victor Chapman for whom the station was named, Dr. Javier Ortega on David Fairchild plant explorations in the Caribbean, and Dr. David Kuhn on the Plant Genetics Programs at SHRS.
 
> Plant Sales, Food Vendors, Demonstrations, Children’s Activities, and Educational Displays will all be on site for your education and enjoyment.

> Trolley tours of the over 200-acre experimental groves and extensive plant collections.

> The USDA-ARS station will also be distributing FREE ‘Niu Leka’ (Fiji Dwarf) Coconut Palm seeds as long as supplies last. 

PLEASE NOTE: The USDA advises that they cannot guarantee germination success. 

LOCATION: USDA‐ARS, 13601 Old Cutler Rd, Miami. (entrance off Deering Bay Dr.)

Dunedin to Tarpon Springs 1 30 16 - Riding the Pinellas Trail

Another example of Bicycle Tourism. Alexandra and I toured The Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail on Jan 30, 2016. This is an original "Rails to Trails" project, a linear park and recreation trail from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs. This video is a composite of the section from Downtown Dunedin to Tarpon Springs. Downtown Dunedin is an outstanding small town - historic, patriotic with an outstanding weekend open air market. The town is bike, dog and golf cart friendly.

Miami Pine Rocklands presents - Larry and Penny Thompson Park - Cleanup and Picnic

Help clean up YOUR local parks. 

Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department will provide gloves, trash pickers, trash bags, cups and water. Food and snacks will be provided by the Miami Pine Rocklands.

Where: Larry and Penny Thompson Park 12451 SW 184th St Miami, FL 33177 Shelter 3

Directions: Enter Park off Eureka and SW 127 Avenue – Shelter 3 is the second shelter on the left.

When: Saturday, February 13th, 2016

Time: 8:30 am

Long sleeves, pants, hat and sunscreen is recommended. To speed up the sign up process you may bring signed waiver attached.
www.MiamiPineRocklandsCoalition.org https://www.facebook.com/groups/MiamiRPC/

Voices for Cerebral Palsy Bows & Ties 5K. Run in the 'Village of Parks' for a great cause

More fun and fitness happening in Palmetto Bay.  

Alex & I have registered for this event. We are running with team "CRE on the RUN" for the Voices for Cerebral Palsy Bows & Ties 5K. Run in the 'Village of Parks' for a great cause.

CLICK HERE to view the official web site for VOICES FOR CEREBRAL PALSY (following info taken verbatim from their site):  

VOICES FOR CEREBRAL PALSY a/k/a Samantha’s Purpose is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization.  The mission of Voices for Cerebral Palsy is to increase awareness & understanding of Cerebral Palsy, to bring families, community members & children of all abilities together; while giving back to the Cerebral Palsy community.  The net proceeds of this event will be used to fund grants to individuals or organizations that strengthen, support & nurture individuals with Cerebral Palsy.

CLICK HERE to go to ACTIVE.COM and register for this 5K event.

Look forward to future updates, including a Palmetto Bay News article by Councilwoman Karyn Cunningham.

Village staff takes charge - retrieves, restores and installs previoulsy paid for AIPP chandelier for village hall

Stored away/wasting away no longer.  Now available on public display.

Our Art In Public investment is now complete.  Palmetto Bay staff completed installation on Thursday, January 21, 2016. 

I am photographed with Councilman Schaffer admiring the new chandelier in Village Hall. And yes, that is me who smiled up at the chandelier and stating; "It really ties the room together."


This is not a new purchase. It was pulled from storage -- and installed where it was purchased and intended to hang.

CLICK HERE to view the village official Facebook photos regarding this chandelier (posted 1/22/16)

Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts - Kicking off career day

Career Day - Miami-Dade County School event held within and involving students and residents of Palmetto Bay.

Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts held its career day on Thursday, January 21, 2016.  I was honored to take part in the effort .  Carla Rivas, Principal, Sonia Cruz, Vice Principal and Alma Dean, Guidance Counselor.

The Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts mission statement (below, taken from the website):

Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts is committed to providing a safe haven for young people's imagination in a professional learning environment.

Dedicated to the arts in education, all students are inspired to strive for excellence and overcome barriers in order to ultimately achieve their potential as responsible adults.

The nurturing of students into lifelong learners will enable them to collaborate in global society through technology and a cooperative network of the community, parents, and school personnel for the next millennium.

We are proud to have Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts as one of our three Miami-Dade Public Schools located in and serving Palmetto Bay. 

Career Days can be fun.  It engages both our children as well as parents and local business leaders.  Students are provided with an up-close and personal view of a wide variety of jobs. It provides an opportunity for parents to get involved.

Students are made aware of the opportunities, as well as the responsibilities, for life beyond their school years.

A fun day.  Thank you for including me in Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts family.  Thank you to the School Board, School based Administration, Students, Parents and all the volunteers and participants for the collaboration on raising our next generation! 

CLICK HERE to view the village official Facebook photos regarding Career Day at Perrine Elementary (posted 1/21/16)

Update - "Get Fit Palmetto Bay" Join us. There are many activities to get involved with.

Get Fit Palmetto Bay - 

CLICK HERE to view the official village website coverage of the Village 'Get Fit' program.

“Get Fit Palmetto Bay,” is a year-long series of events, programs, and seminars focused on wellness, nutrition, and fitness. Thanks for joining us at the first in a series of Sunday Bike Rides with the Mayor on Jan. 17. Please also get in on one or all of the many upcoming health & wellness seminars at Baptist Health.

Read coverage in the Community Newspaper's Palmetto Bay News: Get Fit Palmetto Bay effort steps off with a good start, by Gary Alan Ruse

An estimated 200 people turned out for the official launch of the yearlong program emphasizing wellness, nutrition and fitness. There were sponsor tents featuring fitness-program demos, health screenings, chair massages, vitamins, health food samplings, skin care, fitness shoes and apparel and more than 40 residents registered for the seven-week Mayor’s Fitness Challenge.

Join us - fun programs to improve our health.

Eugene Flinn, Mayor
Village of Palmetto Bay

 

EYE ON MIAMI: Local Governments Issue Resolutions Against The Sl...

EYE ON MIAMI: Local Governments Issue Resolutions Against The Sl...: Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest and South Miami have passed resolutions opposing future Bear hunts in Florida. Florida Fish and Wildlife institut...

Send me your python experiences - I am looking to uncover the extent of the population - and REPORT any sightings

This is in follow up to my Saturday, December 26, 2015. post - No denying it - there is a problem in Palmetto Bay. An 8 - 10 foot Python in Palmetto Bay struck on Old Cutler Road led to the following photo being sent to me:

J. May of Paradise Point provided me with the photo posted above, taken 11/22/15: a native rat snake seen slithering in a tree near a third floor bedroom window (no harm to the native environment).

The full photo (posted left) of the tree-dwelling snake demonstrates how well snakes can camouflage themselves in our native flora. 

This was not the first recorded incident.  October 9 - 2015 - local residents were warned of another non-native snake being seen.  The following was circulated the following day:

(referring to October 9) Last night, one of your neighbors found a snake in the middle of the street in the community.  The snake is 5 - 6 feet in length and is either a Boa Constrictor or a Reticulated Python.  Regardless, the snake has the potential to hurt small dogs and cats.  PLEASE keep your pets on a leash at ALL TIMES and keep your cats indoors, if at all possible.

If anyone sees the snake again, I have been advised by FWC to call the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Venom Unit immediately, who is supposed to be able to assist us with getting rid of it.  The telephone # I was given is 786-331-4443.

The telephone # for the FWC Regional Office is 561-625-5122.  For more information, visit: http://myfwc.com/contact/nuisance-wildlife/

Here is the photo of that snake:

Please bring any further sightings to the attention of myself as well as proper authorities that I have listed on this blog.

Thank you,

Eugene Flinn, Mayor

 

No denying it - there is a problem in Palmetto Bay. An 8 - 10 foot Python in Palmetto Bay struck on Old Cutler Road

Another Christmas python.  This photo was taken at approximately 4 AM on Christmas (2015) morning.  The snake was DOA by the time the policing unit arrived on scene.  This is my 22nd posting involving the Invasive Species label.

Photo taken approx 4 AM, Dec 25, 2015, Old Cutler Road

We cannot ignore the fact that we have our shares of Python captures in Palmetto Bay.  A prior post from three years earlier (Dec 12, 2012), noted that two large pythons had been removed from Palmetto Bay in 2012.  CBS 4 reported on November 26, 2012, that a “very large” python who made its home on a Palmetto Bay lawn was removed by the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Venom Unit near 180 Street and SW 77 avenue.  CLICK HERE to review the online story, Pesky Python Removed From Lawn Of Palmetto Bay Home.

Then there was the Christmas Day (2012) removal of a 13 foot Burmese python occurred from a Palmetto Bay pool.  Long time readers of South Dade Updates may recall the posting of the NBC6 report on 12/26/2012: (CLICK HERE) to view: NBC 6 reports: A 13-foot Burmese python was captured in the swimming pool of a Palmetto Bay home.  The Miami Herald reported that this snake was located and captured at a Palmetto Bay home located off 97th Avenue and SW 183 Street on Christmas Day (the link to the Miami Herald story has expired).

Another famous capture was on October 12, 2005, by one of Palmetto Bay's original policing unit officers, Ofc Randy DiStefano, joined the capture of a non-native python.  This capture is took place on the grounds of the current Palmetto Bay Village Hall. 

These invasive pythons will have an impact on our local native animals and even our domestic pets, dogs and cats.  Please report any sightings of non-native species.   

What can you do?  Are you interested in assisting the FWC in locating these pests?  No one is suggesting that you should go out on a hunt, but here is how you can pass on what you observe if you happen to run into any (information taken from the official FWC web site).

Reporting by phone : You can call the FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline at 888-IVE-GOT1 (888- 483-4681). The hotline is answered part-time by a live operator and has a voicemail system that will prompt you for information about your sighting and your contact information if the operator is unable to answer the call. 

Reporting online : You can use the web form at IveGot1.org External Website to report. The form will prompt you for the information and has a map where you can select the location if you do not have the GPS coordinates.  You will need to create a free account the first time you report a sighting online.  

Sending photographs : If you have trouble attaching photos to the IveGot1 online form or smart phone apps, you can send them to ExoticReports@myfwc.com.  

CLICK HERE to view the complete information regarding downloading the app or how to otherwise assist in the effort posted on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website.

MERRY CHRISTMAS - 2015

From our entire family, Meredith, Katherine, Alexandra and myself, to you and your family: Merry Christmas.  

2015 has been a very productive year.  It is our wish that everyone is enjoying this holiday season. Families celebrate the holidays in many different ways, but one of the great things that we all have in common in our area is the overwhelming sense of community and responsibility to family that we share.

Chanukah and Christmas were far apart this year, extending this season.  I again had the pleasure of participating with friends at the Chabad Jewish Center Menorah Lighting held in Coral Reef Park.  We will be attending Christmas Eve services tonight.  We are all anxiously waiting for my brother’s return home form his latest deployment overseas in Afghanistan. His wife and kids have obviously missed him terribly and look forward to what should be a late Christmas Eve return. 

I am reminded, especially during the holidays, of the importance of family and the importance of maintaining our sense of civic spirit.

I hope during this holiday season as we celebrate and enjoy our families that each and every one of us takes a few minutes to think about those families who cannot be together – for the soldiers who defend our country, for the loved ones who must share in their sacrifice, and for those who are no longer with us, although we hold their memory dear.

We all need to continue to strive to achieve the holiday ideal of “Peace on Earth.” Everyone can do their part to help create a better world simply by treating each other with understanding, kindness and respect. Each time you help another person, we all take another step closer toward true peace on earth.

So once again, we wish each and every one of you, a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season and a joyous and prosperous New Year. You all have earned it. Thank you all, again, for the kindness you show others, not just during the holidays, but all year long.

We look forward to new challenges and successes for 2016 as we close out our current year.

Eugene Flinn, Mayor

Get Fit - And the winner, for 2016 is .......

Residents Decide on Logo that Best Fits Program

The Village of Palmetto Bay is now launching its “Get Fit Palmetto Bay” program, a year-long series of events and programs promoting wellness, nutrition, and fitness for residents, employees, and businesses in the Village. We appreciate your input on helping us jump-start the program by voting for your favorite "Get Fit Palmetto Bay" logo. Online voting ended Dec. 14 -- and the winner is LOGO 2:

Thank you for the interest in the logo selection.  I look forward to a fun year in our Palmetto Bay Parks "getting fit" with the community

Eugene Flinn, Mayor

Presentation by the Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition - -- Who they are. How you can join.

Thank you.

Thank you Al Sunshine and the entire Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition for the work you do - fighting to protect and preserve our sensitive Pine Rocklands.  The photo was taken on Saturday, December 12, 2015, during a Livable Cutler session.

I am honored to receive a Miami Pine Rocklands Limited Edition print as a "Miami Tiger Beetle" Member.  I accept this on behalf of all members of my family who have been so supportive of the effort "Save it, Don't Pave It."

CLICK HERE to view the Facebook page for Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition. Follow this link to the website for the Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition

This website also takes you to a page where you can learn of all the critters that inhabit these imperiled Pine Rocklands, including access to the downloadable / printable Coloring Books of the Pine Rockland critters.  (You may access, print and please distribute to friends, family, groups that may have an interest, teachers, etc. simply by 'rightclicking' to save it to your computer for printing.

This photoprint to the right says it all, beautifully capturing our native Pinelands.   

Thank you,

Eugene Flinn

Welcome aboard Major - and thank you for the strong stand in addressing Palmetto Bay's Traffic woes.

I am so pleased with our new Village Police Commander, Gadyaces Serralta.  There is a must read article published online - Miami Herald, as well as in the Sunday, December 13, 2015, Neighbors section, page 4SE.

Read the Miami Herald article (while it remains available online), December 11, 2015, New police commander settled in, battles roaring traffic, by Monique O. Madan.

He has been hard at work with our Village Policing Unit tackling more than just a perp or two, he is fully onboard with one of my biggest missions – or as Major Serralta is quoted: “Our traffic enforcement initiative, where we target areas in Palmetto Bay that have a high rate of complaints — places with countless traffic violations,” said. “It’s been really busy.”

Busy is what we need to put a dent in this situation.  We can praise or grouse monthly on the crime stats each month, but traffic affects us all whenever schools are in session. 

This is a multidisciplinary approach, including public works which is hard at work in-house as well as collaboratively with Miami-Dade County on projects such as signage as well as permanent and temporary traffic calming devices.

The article goes on to reveal that; During his off time, the police commander enjoys doing charity work. Recently he participated and volunteered at a few 5K walk-a-thons and a massive fundraiser that goes toward feeding Miami’s hungry children. 

“I encourage officers to give up their time as well; we are public servants,” he said.

Recent 5Ks included the Reason to Run 5K, held in Palmetto Bay, that he and his unit volunteered to assist. He also assisted the Village council in the Veterans Day event held at post #133 in Palmetto Bay (pictured above left).

Serralta also enjoys hiking. His favorite is the Appalachian Trail – Personally, I would enjoy getting our new Major out on a bicycle.

Thank you Village Police Commander Serralta.  Welcome aboard.  Thank you for addressing what is presently our #1 concern – traffic.   

Eugene Flinn

HAPPY CHANUKAH - 2015

Alexandra, Katherine, and Meredith join with me in wishing everyone a very Happy Chanukah.

Chanukah and Christmas are far apart this year, extending this season. I look forward to participating with Rabbi Gansburg and the Chabad of Palmetto Bay at the Chabad Jewish Center Menorah Lighting set for Saturday Dec 12 at Coral Reef Park. 

I am reminded, especially during the holidays, of the importance of family and the importance of maintaining our sense of civic spirit.

I hope during this holiday season as we celebrate and enjoy our families that each and every one of us takes a few minutes to think about those families who cannot be together – for the soldiers who defend our country, for the loved ones who must share in their sacrifice, and for those who are no longer with us, although we hold their memory dear.

We all need to continue to strive to achieve the holiday ideal of “Peace on Earth.” Everyone can do their part to help create a better world simply by treating each other with understanding, kindness and respect. Each time you help another person, we all take another step closer toward true peace on earth.

So once again, we wish each and every one of you, a happy, healthy, and safe Chanukah.

Holiday Season in the Village of Parks off and running (Weather permitting)

There are some great events are happening in the Village.  These events include those sponsored by our local schools and churches as well as Miami-Dade County and Village of Palmetto Bay official events.  The unusually rainy December is impacting some of these events such as requiring the rescheduling of the Palmetto Bay Downtown Holiday Event - originally scheduled for Saturday, 12/5.  It will now be held on Tuesday from 4 to 8 PM. 

Tuesday evening kicked off with the Palmetto Bay Business Association Social.

The Deering Estate held its Tree lighting Ceremony Friday, December 4, there was fun for all ages.  Note that the holiday season lasts throughout the month.  Check out the Deering Estate.

Alexandra and I then moved on to the family dinner dance at Christ the King Lutheran Church.

Pictured with Sister-in-Law Jennifer and Niece Joanne.  Brother Lt. Col Walter Flinn remains deployed overseas and we are looking forward to his return before the end of this year.. 

UM Board of Trustees Member Ed Williamson led us in 'throwing up the "U"'. We are excited about the hiring of Mark Richt as the new UM Head Coach.  Ed promised us that UM got itself 'a Cadillac' of coaches in Richt.  Ed Williamson is unquestionably qualified to render such an opinion.

2016 Python Challenge

2016 Python Challenge
(CLICK the link above to view the official web page)
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission sent this bulletin at 12/02/2015 12:54 PM EST

2016 Python Challenge^TM.This coming year, with the help of our partners, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida are hosting the 2016 Python Challenge™. This month-long invasive species awareness campaign will again include a public competition to remove nonnative Burmese pythons from public lands in Florida. With expanded participating areas, the lands where participants can search for and remove pythons have more than doubled.

Are you up for the Challenge? Register for the Python Removal Competition and compete to see if you can harvest the longest or the most Burmese pythons and win grand prizes of $5,000 in the team category and $3,500 in the individual category.

We are providing frequent hands-on training for people who want to learn more about how
to capture pythons, both before and during the event. The 2016 Python Challenge™ will kick off at the Invasive Species Awareness Festival on Jan. 16, 2016 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. 

Details about trainings, competition rules and registration, prizes and events are posted at PythonChallenge.org.

Captured in Palmetto Bay, October 12, 2005

ONCE AGAIN: The bigger question is will Palmetto Bay be included in the hunt zone? 
Of course not, but we should talk about the fact that we have our shares of Python captures in Palmetto Bay.  A prior post from three years early, Dec 12, 2012), noting that two large pythons have been removed from Palmetto Bay in 2012.  CBS 4 reported on November 26, 2012, that a “very large” python who made its home on a Palmetto Bay lawn was removed by the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Venom Unit near 180 Street and SW 77 avenue.  CLICK HERE to review the online story, Pesky Python Removed From Lawn Of Palmetto Bay Home.

Then there was the Christmas Day (2012) removal of a 13 foot Burmese python occurred from a Palmetto Bay pool.  Long time readers of South Dade Updates may recall the posting of the NBC6 report on 12/26/2012: (CLICK HERE) to view: NBC 6 reports: A 13-foot Burmese python was captured in the swimming pool of a Palmetto Bay home.  The Miami Herald reported that this snake was located and captured at a Palmetto Bay home located off 97th Avenue and SW 183 Street on Christmas Day (the link to the Miami Herald story has expired).  

Another famous capture was on October 12, 2005, by one of Palmetto Bay's original policing unit officers, Ofc Randy DiStefano, joined the capture of a non-native python.  This capture is took place on the grounds of the current Palmetto Bay Village Hall.   

Will more snakes be identified and captured at this Palmetto Bay village hall location?  Who is going to step up and participate in the Python Challenge, 2016?

Please provide your input as to which Logo Best Fits our New Program - "Get Fit Palmetto Bay"

1 or 3?  Or 2, Please not 5! (just kidding).  We are seeking your input.

I hope that you join with me as we embark upon an exciting new program - Get Fit Palmetto Bay. We're getting ready to launch it, but first we need your help in selecting the program logo. Please view and take the survey (CLICK HERE) Spoiler alert - I like 1 & 3 best. 

I want to hear from you!

The Village of Palmetto Bay is getting ready to launch its “Get Fit Palmetto Bay” program in 2016, a year-long series of events and programs promoting wellness, nutrition, and fitness for residents, employees, and businesses in Palmetto Bay. Help us jump-start the program by voting now for your favorite "Get Fit Palmetto Bay" logo. Online voting ends Dec. 14.

Thank you for your consideration and participation.

Eugene Flinn, Mayor
Palmetto Bay