Work continues on safe routes to schools

The South Miami Neighbors, Bike SoMi, and Green Mobility, and our City leadership have started working with our local schools to encourage our kids to bike and walk to school. This year, we have started working with South Miami K-8 and South Miami Middle School.  We have dstributed Safe Routes to School Parent Surveys, and are currently evaluating the data on the surveys returned.  

We have also coordinated the installation of a bike rack, donated by South Miami bike shop, Mack Cycle, to South Miami K-8.  From the looks of the bike commuters on the bike rack's inauguration, South Miami K-8 will soon be ready for additional bike racks!

Next steps would include performing an analysis on the area immediately surrounding the schools and identify what obstacles exist to biking and walking, and subsequently remedying the physical barriers that exist.  

It is our hope to work with all of our local schools so that we get a steady increase in families walking and biking to school in SoMi.

Murray Park pool moves forward

At a recent meeting of the ERPB, the much anticipated Murray Park Pool was presented. It is exciting that the pool is moving forward in an expeditious manner so that everyone can finally go for a swim!  The design includes a kid's splash fountain, a shallow wading area leading to a lap pool, a small building with showers, bathrooms and a food concession, and perimeter fencing separating the pool from the remainder of Murray Park. While it is hopeful that the pool could be open year round (it will have heating), the current plan is to have the pool open only during the summer months.  That is why the City should consider how the pool can be designed to reap maximum benefits from elements of the pool's facilities.  For example:  the restrooms, showers, snack bar, and splash fountain can be used year round.  

Also, what will folks be seeing when the pool is not in operation?  How can the view to the pool be a postcard image of, say, a lake framed by beautiful landscaping year round?  Can the pool be a destination for special events such as weddings, etc?   Currently, there is chain link fencing proposed at the pool's perimeter.  Is chain link giving the right impression, and is such high fencing necessary? Can a lower security fence be obscured by landscaping and trees opening up to the view of the lake pool?

Other cities have endeavored to make their pools beautiful oases of leisure, such as neighboring Venetian Pool.  Let's build a pool facility worthy of being a postcard image of South Miami!

How do I get to the beach from here?

Do you hate fighting traffic?
Don't want to hassle for a parking place on south beach? But you love the beach once you are there?

Why not try public transportation? It is much easier than you think! Take the metro rail from South Miami station to government center, from there go to people mover and take the outer loop which is the omni loop. From the omni station wait for the 101 route A bus (faster than the s bus) which will take you to 5th and washington, or points north of there. A link for the route map is here http://www.miamidade.gov/transit/library/routes/101.pdf
There you go, you are hassle free and at the beach.

If you want a bus that will take you to various place around south beach like the Fillmore or convention center, you can use the south beach local 123 http://www.miamidade.gov/transit/library/routes/123.pdf

Always check the miamidade.gov/transit site for any changes.

Children's goods exchange organized by city and Rhythm Church, August 17

The City of South Miami and Rhythm Church have organized the first Annual Baby and Kid Goods Exchange. The event will be held on Saturday August 17 (10 am to 1 pm) at First United Methodist Church (6565 SW 57th Avenue). Parents are encouraged to drop off or pick up such items as clothes, shoes, baby gear, toys, maternity clothes and children’s books for kids ranging in age from newborns to 13 years. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Contact Justin Aguirre at 305-301-1938/jeaguirre@att.net or Matt Alexander matt@rhythmmiami.com for more information.

Commission to consider new laws against panhandling, trespassing and leaf-blowing

At tonight's meeting, the South Miami City Commission will discuss new ordinances regarding panhandling, trespassing and the use of powered leaf blowers.

Join or Renew Now

We are so glad to be involved in a community that works together!
By clicking the button below, you will be paying a 15.00 annual fee for membership. Your modest dues pay for service projects, civic activities, and member communications.

You do not need to be a Pay Pal member. After clicking, there is also an option to use normal credit card processing. Thank you so much for your participation and helping in our efforts to move away from wasteful, and costly paper mailings.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact info.somineighbors@gmail.com

Join us in Planting Trees Along Miller Road

Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Tree planting project at 9 am on Saturday July 13. We will be planting 23 Cassia bakeriana trees (w/ beautiful pink flowers in spring) and 13 large Live Oak Trees along Miller Road between 58th and 59th Avenues.  The large trees will be installed by a contractor but we would appreciate your help to install the smaller trees. Even if you aren't healthy enough to dig holes we would love to have you there just to show your support.  This project is a collaboration between Miami Dade County, TREEmendous Miami, the South Miami Green Task Force and members of South Miami Neighbors. Hopefully this will be the first of many projects.  If you have any projects in mind where you would like to see more Trees, understory plants and the birds and butterflies that accompany them, please let us know and we can work on them together.  A reminder will be posted before the planting with any additional details.

College scholarship available for Community Redevelopment Agency residents

Residents of the South Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) are invited to apply for the 2013 James Bowman Scholarship. Applications are available through the CRA web site.

Sunset Tavern and Sports Bar win 2013 Miami New Times "Best of" Awards

The Miami New Times is out with its annual "Best of Miami" awards issue, and two South Miami businesses are featured. Sunset Tavern won Best Happy Hour and Sports Grill South Miami won Best Sports Grill. [Miami New Times]

High voltage power lines run into opposition

The city's efforts to have Florida Power and Light (FPL) reroute its proposed new high-voltage lines west of the city may have run into a snag, as Kendall officials are expressing resistance. [Miami Herald]

New crosswalks to be installed on US-1

Mayor Philip Stoddard reports that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plan to create new pedestrian crosswalks on US-1 in downtown South Miami have hit a snag, as county engineers voice opposition to any changes that impede vehicular traffic on the highway. The mayor is working with FDOT and the county to resolve the situation and, hopefully, have new crosswalks installed on SW 70 Street, SW 67 Avenue and other major crossings downtown.

Community pool to begin construction

standard community news item, in this case an update on the pool (perhaps about the groundbreaking date), with links to earlier posts on the same topic and to whatever city or official web resources are out there

October 2013 meeting scheduled

Please come to our June meeting on October 21st, at 7pm, in the Commission Chambers at South Miami City Hall. Our agenda has not yet been established, but we hope to see you there.

[The preliminary/unapproved minutes of our Sept 2013 will be posted soon.  We'll provide you with a link when it is available]

Bike racks installed at local schools

Teacher [insert name] and students at South Miami Middle School

News item about bike racks installed at local school and downtown with the help of South Miami Neighbors. Many SMN members attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.