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

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news network. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

There’s A Secret Buddhist Temple In This Miami House

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

–Located right in the middle of a neighborhood, The Open Awareness Buddhist Center has been open and aware for about 15 years.

-Run by Lama Karma Chotso, the center is located in a house in El Portal.

-For dozens of members, it is a place of real refuge.

-It is located right on the banks of The Little River.

-The center started in 1996, when it was located in a Hollywood bungalow.

-A patron gave the group money to purchase the property from a fellow member in 2003.

-According to Lama Chotso, there was some controversy at the time about having a Buddhist Songha in the middle of a residential street- but she was able to win over the neighbors.

-The center offers yoga sessions as well as other Buddhist related activities- including Sunday services.

—

This Miami Beach Synagogue Is About To Make History

Look How Many People It Takes To Spay A Lion At Zoo Miami

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story

–Zoo Miami spayed an 8-year-old lioness Monday in a routine operation that showed just how much manpower it takes to take care of big cats.

**-A video shared with RISE NEWS by Zoo Miami’s Ron Magill, walks through the full extent of the operation.**

-The procedure was done on Kashifa because there were fears that continued breeding by her would mean an over-representation of her line.

-She has already had three males and two female cubs- all but one of which now live at other zoos.

-While under anesthesia, vets also took blood and checked her eyes and teeth to make sure they are healthy.

-Kashifa’s daughter Amira will have the same procedure next week to avoid inbreeding.

-Kashifa is expected to make a full recovery.

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

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news network. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

Meet Miami’s Hip Hop Ice Cream Shop

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

–Mr Kream Wynwood has a pretty unique vibe for an ice cream place. Run by a group of Miami DJs, the shop is the perfect place for those with a serious sweet tooth and an ear for rap.

-The shop is just over a year old and has become very popular.

-Ice cream flavors are named after famous rap stars. An example?: 2 Live Blue.

-The stated goal is to give people a great desert while also teaching them about hip hop culture and history.

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

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news network. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

Top Golf Proves To Be A Hit In Miami

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

-Top Golf opened its first South Florida location late last year in Miami Gardens.

-The massive facility has proven to be a hit with locals who want a twist on a classic game.

-The company says that over 500 people work at the location, which is located near the Golden Glades Interchange.

-Over a 10 year period, the Miami Gardens location is expected to have a $25 million economic impact on the region.

WATCH ANOTHER STORY- Is This The Happiest Place In Miami?

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news network. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

Is This The Happiest Place In Miami?

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

-On a quiet, secluded street in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood sits a house that few locals have ever paid much attention to.

-The Little Farm House (281 N.E. 84th Street, Miami) is part event space and part animal rescue.

-Conceived by Gabriella von Rosen, The Little Farm House is now an in-demand venue for photographers and video shoots.

-But while it generates revenue, it is also taking care of scores of rescue animals. They range from dogs to a pony.

-It all started when Gabriella came across a vacant 100-year-old home on NE 2nd Ave and 84th St in Miami. The home had been on the market for over 3 years and it was in rough shape.

-“It snowballed into doing events and doing photoshoots and flimsiest. And that is actually now our bread and butter,” von Rosen said in an interview with RISE NEWS. “We’ve had British Vogue, Elle Magazine, Urban Outfitters; Telemundo loves to come here for their soap operas.

-But the real heart of the place are the animals. Gabriella and her professional skateboarding boyfriend Danny Renaud rescue animals and let them live on the property.

-Gabriella has built a truly unique space in the heart of Miami’s urban sprawl.

-Renaud said of von Rosen: “She is very talented and people all the time tell me how gorgeous the place is and I tell them that I have nothing to do with it. I just make sure it doesn’t catch on fire and I’ll fix something if it breaks. But, she decorated all this and people love it. I love it.”

Watch Another Story: Inside Miami’s Bitcoin Gas Station

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news magazine. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

Easter In South Florida Is…Different

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

-Miami Shores celebrated its 23rd annual “Marshmallow Drop” Saturday.

-The event saw over 1,000 people come to the community recreation field as a helicopter dropped 16,000 marshmallows.

-While similar events happen all around the country, Miami Shores was one of the first communities that helped popularize it. It also used to be one of the largest in the country.

-In 2005, “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” featured the Miami Shores event because of how strange they found it.

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

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news magazine. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

$125,000 Gold Shark Sails Through Miami Streets

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

–A massive, 13 foot golden shark racing down Biscayne Boulevard on a recent afternoon was a bizarre sight, even judging by Miami standards.

-We followed it just to figure out where the heck the thing was going.

-The journey took us to a series of renovated warehouses near the railroad tracks on NE 59th St in Miami.

-We learned the shark was created by Miami artist Hamilton Aguiar.

-The shark was installed at J. Steven Manolis’ gallery in Miami’s Lemon City section and it is for sale for a cool $125,000

-The shark is a spoof by Aguiar of the well known Damien Hirst piece, “The Physical Impossibility Of Death In The Mind Of Someone Living”.

–Aguiar on his inspiration: “I play with the opposite of the materials. So the [Hirst] shark was a real shark that rotted so I did the opposite. I did a handmade sculpture in gold leaf so it’s supposed to be eternal.”

-Manolis moved to Miami after a career on Wall Street.

-While climbing up the corporate ladder and becoming the youngest partner in Solomon Brothers history, Manolis also followed another calling-his love of art.

-For over 35 years, he received one on one lessons from Wolf Kahn, one of the best known colorists in the world.

-He opened his gallery in 2014 and he really loves Aguiar’s shark. “This is $125,000 and cheap at half the price,” Manolis said.

—

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

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news magazine. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

Inside Miami’s Bitcoin Gas Stations

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

-The Chevron on 103rd St right next to I-95 in Miami-Dade County might look like just an ordinary gas station. But it hides a secret. Next to the sodas and the junk food you can also buy Bitcoin.

-Owned by hard-nosed entrepreneur Rishi Gosine, the station on 103rd St and his Chevron on 79th St and North Miami Avenue were the first to feature Bitcoin ATM’s in South Florida.

-Now there are dozens of them in the region and over a hundred in the rest of the US.

-Gosine says that the ATM’s are popular with customers- especially young people who lack access to a bank or credit card.

-But the ATM’s have caused concern in other countries. In London, local authorities say that they are used to help drug dealers launder money.

-Miami has become a global cryptocurrency capital in recent years. The city hosted over 5,000 people in January for the North American Bitcoin Conference.

**-According to the Miami New Times, Bitcoin entrepreneurs and speculators are drawn to Florida because of lax state oversight of the industry.**

—

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

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news magazine. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

Miami’s Church Of Trump Resistance

By Rich Robinson

What’s News In This Story?

-The Miami Shores Community Church has started a conversation in South Florida over tolerance in the age of Trumpism with a simple act.

-The church has created a yard sign declaring, “No Matter Where You Are From, We’re Glad You’re Our Neighbor” in four languages. The sign is being put in the front yards of church members.

-Jon Ise, a church member who is also active in Miami civic life pitched the idea after he saw a similar idea employed by Mennonite churches in the northeast.

-Pastor Meg Watson approved the plan to sell the signs to people living in Miami Shores for $10. Church staffer Harold Marrero designed the look of them and translated the message into Spanish, Creole and Portuguese.

-The church hopes to spark conversations with neighbors about what type of society they want to live in. And Marrero told RISE NEWS that his life at the church showed why diversity is a powerful force for innovation and change.

——-

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news magazine. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

Miami Places

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.

——

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news network. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

What’s News In This Story?

–Located right in the middle of a neighborhood, The Open Awareness Buddhist Center has been open and aware for about 15 years.

-Run by Lama Karma Chotso, the center is located in a house in El Portal.

-For dozens of members, it is a place of real refuge.

-It is located right on the banks of The Little River.

-The center started in 1996, when it was located in a Hollywood bungalow.

-A patron gave the group money to purchase the property from a fellow member in 2003.

-According to Lama Chotso, there was some controversy at the time about having a Buddhist Songha in the middle of a residential street- but she was able to win over the neighbors.

-The center offers yoga sessions as well as other Buddhist related activities- including Sunday services.

What’s News In This Story

–Zoo Miami spayed an 8-year-old lioness Monday in a routine operation that showed just how much manpower it takes to take care of big cats.

-A video shared with RISE NEWS by Zoo Miami’s Ron Magill, walks through the full extent of the operation.

-The procedure was done on Kashifa because there were fears that continued breeding by her would mean an over-representation of her line.

-She has already had three males and two female cubs- all but one of which now live at other zoos.

-While under anesthesia, vets also took blood and checked her eyes and teeth to make sure they are healthy.

-Kashifa’s daughter Amira will have the same procedure next week to avoid inbreeding.

-Kashifa is expected to make a full recovery.

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news network. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

What’s News In This Story?

–Mr Kream Wynwood has a pretty unique vibe for an ice cream place. Run by a group of Miami DJs, the shop is the perfect place for those with a serious sweet tooth and an ear for rap.

-The shop is just over a year old and has become very popular.

-Ice cream flavors are named after famous rap stars. An example?: 2 Live Blue.

-The stated goal is to give people a great desert while also teaching them about hip hop culture and history.

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news network. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

What’s News In This Story?

-Top Golf opened its first South Florida location late last year in Miami Gardens.

-The massive facility has proven to be a hit with locals who want a twist on a classic game.

-The company says that over 500 people work at the location, which is located near the Golden Glades Interchange.

-Over a 10 year period, the Miami Gardens location is expected to have a $25 million economic impact on the region.

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news network. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

What’s News In This Story?

-On a quiet, secluded street in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood sits a house that few locals have ever paid much attention to.

-The Little Farm House (281 N.E. 84th Street, Miami) is part event space and part animal rescue.

-Conceived by Gabriella von Rosen, The Little Farm House is now an in-demand venue for photographers and video shoots.

-But while it generates revenue, it is also taking care of scores of rescue animals. They range from dogs to a pony.

-It all started when Gabriella came across a vacant 100-year-old home on NE 2nd Ave and 84th St in Miami. The home had been on the market for over 3 years and it was in rough shape.

-“It snowballed into doing events and doing photoshoots and flimsiest. And that is actually now our bread and butter,” von Rosen said in an interview with RISE NEWS. “We’ve had British Vogue, Elle Magazine, Urban Outfitters; Telemundo loves to come here for their soap operas.

-But the real heart of the place are the animals. Gabriella and her professional skateboarding boyfriend Danny Renaud rescue animals and let them live on the property.

-Gabriella has built a truly unique space in the heart of Miami’s urban sprawl.

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news magazine. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

What’s News In This Story?

-Miami Shores celebrated its 23rd annual “Marshmallow Drop” Saturday.

-The event saw over 1,000 people come to the community recreation field as a helicopter dropped 16,000 marshmallows.

-While similar events happen all around the country, Miami Shores was one of the first communities that helped popularize it. It also used to be one of the largest in the country.

-In 2005, “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” featured the Miami Shores event because of how strange they found it.

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news magazine. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

What’s News In This Story?

–A massive, 13 foot golden shark racing down Biscayne Boulevard on a recent afternoon was a bizarre sight, even judging by Miami standards.

-We followed it just to figure out where the heck the thing was going.

-The journey took us to a series of renovated warehouses near the railroad tracks on NE 59th St in Miami.

-We learned the shark was created by Miami artist Hamilton Aguiar.

-The shark was installed at J. Steven Manolis’ gallery in Miami’s Lemon City section and it is for sale for a cool $125,000

-The shark is a spoof by Aguiar of the well known Damien Hirst piece, “The Physical Impossibility Of Death In The Mind Of Someone Living”.

–Aguiar on his inspiration: “I play with the opposite of the materials. So the [Hirst] shark was a real shark that rotted so I did the opposite. I did a handmade sculpture in gold leaf so it’s supposed to be eternal.”

-Manolis moved to Miami after a career on Wall Street.

-While climbing up the corporate ladder and becoming the youngest partner in Solomon Brothers history, Manolis also followed another calling-his love of art.

-For over 35 years, he received one on one lessons from Wolf Kahn, one of the best known colorists in the world.

-He opened his gallery in 2014 and he really loves Aguiar’s shark. “This is $125,000 and cheap at half the price,” Manolis said.

RISE NEWS is South Florida’s digital news magazine. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you never miss a story!

Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].

What’s News In This Story?

-The Chevron on 103rd St right next to I-95 in Miami-Dade County might look like just an ordinary gas station. But it hides a secret. Next to the sodas and the junk food you can also buy Bitcoin.

-Owned by hard-nosed entrepreneur Rishi Gosine, the station on 103rd St and his Chevron on 79th St and North Miami Avenue were the first to feature Bitcoin ATM’s in South Florida.

-Now there are dozens of them in the region and over a hundred in the rest of the US.

-Gosine says that the ATM’s are popular with customers- especially young people who lack access to a bank or credit card.

**-A video shared with RISE NEWS by Zoo Miami’s Ron Magill, walks through the full extent of the operation.**

**-According to the Miami New Times, Bitcoin entrepreneurs and speculators are drawn to Florida because of lax state oversight of the industry.**