Since last week
It was a pretty quiet weekend, just Nick and I at home while Vance was traveling for work. Princess Cruises had their ship inaugural for their latest beauty the Sun Princess. And Elizabeth was off on a trip with her best friend.
Monday night it was my turn to do pick up at Panera Bread. I took three full bags of bread and pastries to the Miami Rescue Mission’s Broward Outreach Center where it was very needed and graciously accepted.
Tuesday I had signed up for a great virtual discussion titled “Art Places in Black Spaces” hosted by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affair’s Emerging Arts Leaders. It was an engaging and enlightening presentation on Overtown’s Black Archives History and Research Foundation of South Florida at the Historic Lyric Theater, Historic Hampton House and Liberty City’s African Heritage Cultural Arts Center where major renovations are happening in 2025. I plan to take a deeper dive and learn even more about these important historic venues in Miami.
Thursday I was busy with the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs Grants Panel virtual orientation. I’ve served as a panelist in the past but wasn’t sure I wanted to commit again. At first I said no but after giving it some thought I said yes. I honestly feel it’s part of my civic duty and I know they appreciate the help from a seasoned panelist.
This marker is located in front of Sherbondy Park at 380 Bahman Ave. It’s a detailed map of the 15 markers on the Opa-locka Heritage Trail located in the city ‘s Historic District.
Then that afternoon I headed to Opa-locka where I took the Opa-locka Heritage Trail tour. It was recently unveiled and escorting me on the tour was Alex Mecl of Ten North Group (formerly the Opa-locka Community Development Corporation). Mecl is the organization’s Senior Project Manager and the mastermind behind the city’s 15 marker Heritage Trail. It was a fascinating tour and one I’m writing about for Artburst Miami. Alex also has his own website for the Opa-locka Preservation Association, is a resident of the city and I even got to see his beautiful home. He is passionate about his work and it shows. I’m excited to tell our readers about this wonderful walking tour.
Tonight I’m going to attend Jazz at MOCA and do food rescue at Panera. Even though it’s not my usual Panera pick up night, I want to bring The rescued food to The Freedom Lab tomorrow. Otherwise, that food’s going in the garbage and I don’t want that so if I can take a little drive and keep food out of a landfill, I’m gonna do it.
And for your reading pleasure, here are links to a few of my articles published this week. In the Miami Times, my story on the Ray Rolston art exhibition and in Artburst Miami the one on Feeding South Florida’s art contest.
And lastly, I’m sharing with you photos of some new additions to our backyard. The windchime is from the Rain Barrel Village in Islamorada which we visited a few weeks ago, and the wood shelf, newly stained and displaying pots and gardening tools (my niece Nicole’s idea!), I found while walking through Biscayne Park. Another roadside find transformed and put to good use!
Until next Friday… let’s Go Heat!!!!
