A “Cat Cafe” Just Opened In Miami Beach. Seriously

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

WATCH:

–After two years of waiting, Miami Beach finally has its very own “cat cafe”.

-The simply named Cat Cafe South Beach opened to the public on November 16.

-Featuring nearly 40 adoptable cats of all ages, the shop also serves hot drinks like coffee and tea and offers some light fare.

-Anyone can come to pet or play with the cats, but you are asked to give a minimum donation of $15 for adults and $12 for children 11 and under.

—Here’s another cool story: —

Before National Fame, Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho Started As An Undocumented Immigrant

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The Skateboarding Mayor Of Surfside Knows That His Town Is Doomed

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

–The tiny coastal town of Surfside is under dire threat from the impacts of sea level rise.

-Surfside’s Mayor, Daniel Dietch, knows this and thinks that it is likely that the town will eventually become uninhabitable.

-But that doesn’t mean that the town is sinking quietly into the sea.

-Dietch and the town council punch above their weight in drawing attention to the crisis.

-And Dietch cuts a unique figure as he skateboards around the town in his suit and tie.

—Here’s Something Else To Watch—

Opinion: South Dade Needs Rail Not More Buses

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Miami’s Waterkeeper Is Seriously Worried About The Future Of The City’s Waterways

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

–Miami Waterkeeper Rachel Silverstein has built her non-profit into a legit force in the South Florida political and legal world.

-They’ve entered the scene at the perfect time to give our waters a fighting chance.

-From pollution to ecosystem crushing algae blooms to sea level rise and a nuclear power plant that could end up being swallowed by the sea- there’s a lot at stake right now.

Rachel Silverstein is the waterkeeper and executive director for Miami Waterkeeper.

–Silverstein leads a team of five lawyers and scientists who advocate for ecological protections and smart public policy through advocacy and scientific research.

–They also sue polluters. And they threaten people who are trashing Miami’s waters with lawsuits. They do that a lot.

–In 2014, Miami Waterkeeper sued Miami-Dade county to protect coral reefs that were impacted by the Port Miami dredging project. The county settled with Miami Waterkeeper and paid over $400,000 to relocate the corals to a University of Miami lab.

FPL’s Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant.

–Silverstein is concerned about the future of FPL’s Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant. She thinks that the plant will be submerged by the impacts of sea level rise by 2040. FPL wants to continue to use the site until at least 2052.

——Here’s Something Completely Different: ——

Newly Reopened To The Public, Miami’s Iconic Freedom Tower Has Positioned Itself As An Ideas Hub

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Miami Beach’s First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Has Opened

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

–Surterra Wellness opened their storefront Monday at 1523 Alton Road after a “big effort” to get it opened.

–It is the company’s first South Florida dispensary and one of only a handful in the region.

–The shop technically opened on April 20 (4/20, duh)- but was forced to relaunch on April 23.

–Florida is one of 29 states have legalized medicinal marijuana.

–A petition drive to get a measure to fully legalize marijuana for recreational use on the November ballot failed earlier this year.

——

There’s A Secret Buddhist Temple In This El Portal House

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Miami Has A Think Tank Now. Can It Save The City?

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

–The Miami Urban Future Initiative is a think tank that is 100% devoted to researching how to make South Florida better.

–A joint venture between FIU, the Knight Foundation and the Creative Class Group, it is connected to well known urbanist Richard Florida.

–The group produces white papers on topics relating to growth and development in the region.

–They consider “Miami” to be Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

–Operating under the theory that politicians don’t have a longterm view of the future, the group is trying to create data that can lead to better policy outcomes.

–It is run by Chris Caines- a former interim director of the Knight Foundation’s Miami Program and Michael Aquino, a Miami native who grew up in Wynwood before it was gentrified.

–The group hosts live events that are free to attend.

——

There’s A Secret Buddhist Temple In This El Portal House

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This Miami Beach Synagogue Is About To Make History

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

–Temple Beth Sholom will make history in June when Gayle Pomerantz starts as the senior rabbi at the massive Miami Beach synagogue.

-Pomerantz has been a rabbi there for 23 years and is a familiar face to the South Florida community.

-But now, she will become a historical figure as the first woman to lead one of Miami’s largest synagogues.

-And from what we could tell, she plans on being an active leader.

–Pomerantz has helped the longtime senior rabbi Gary Glickstein double the size of the congregation over the past 20 years.

-Now, there are nearly 4,000 members of the synagogue.

Watch Another Story: Meet Miami’s Queen Bee And Her Backyard Insect Revolution

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Huge Shark Spotted Near Swimmers Off Miami Beach

By Staff Report

What’s New With This Story:

–A large shark was spotted close to swimmers off Miami Beach this past weekend.

-According to the Miami Herald, it was probably a tiger shark, but Vince Conosa, the chief of Miami Beach’s Ocean Rescue wasn’t 100% sure.

-The video was taken by professional drone photographer Kenny Melendez.

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Miami Beach Firefighter Saves Dog From Drowning

By Staff Report

The Fight For Wheelchair Access In Miami Beach Is Getting Ugly

By Staff Report

This Legit Hoverboard Was Spotted On Miami Beach

By Rich Robinson

There can be no doubt now, we are living in the damn future.

People on Miami Beach were shocked earlier today when they saw a scene straight out of Back To The Future.

While we are working to confirm what exactly it was that scores of people witnessed on the beach, it looks similar to a product called the Flyboard Air.

We are freaking out right now.

Hoverboards are an actual thing now.

Amazing.

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