Category: Palmetto Bay

Categories
Florida Life Neighborhood News Palmetto Bay Pinecrest

Happy National Mango Day!

Mango, Mango, Mango

Mangos, delicious as they are or mixed in drinks, salsas, breads, desserts, or just about anything else you can dream up, are also extremely healthy.  Driving around the Villages of Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay, you will see mango stands manned by hot, summering students eager to earn extra money or unmanned stands that work on the trust system with a money box.  Once you purchase your mangos, stop by Pinecrest Wayside Market for a mango milkshake.  Enjoy the season while it lasts, it will be over way too soon!

 

Categories
Florida Life Palmetto Bay Things To Do

Deering Seafood Festival This Weekend, Sunday March 29

Bahamian Junkanoo Revue
Bahamian Junkanoo Revue
Bahamian Junkanoo Revue

Whether you are visiting South Florida for Spring Break or are a local, head to the Deering Seafood Festival weekend at the beautiful historic Deering Estate.  The setting alone is worth the visit, but throw in local seafood, music, Junkanoo, and gorgeous weather (high of 77 and low of 63 forecasted) and it will be the perfect way to wrap up another busy South Florida Weekend!

Categories
Aventura Coconut Grove Coral Gables Florida Life Miami Beach Palmetto Bay Pinecrest Things To Do

10 Things To Do In Miami In October

I love October in South Florida.  Not only does the weather start to tease with occasional cooler, drier temperatures, but it is the official start of our art season.  Although we now have cultural activities year-round with our monthly art walks, museum exhibits, and great musical programming at the Arsht Center and venues throughout South Florida, we really kick into high gear in October.  Here is a list of some venues to try in October:

  1. Soundscape movies every Wednesday starting in October through December 18 at the New World Symphony (free)
  2. Wallcasts October 5 & 25 at the New World Symphony (free)
  3. Sounds At Fairchild October 6, 13, & 20 at Fairchild Tropical Garden
  4. Barnacle Under Moonlight Concert October 11
  5. Diavolo’s Transit Space Dance October 12 & 13 South Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center
  6. Ruthless, the musical October 18, Actor’s Playhouse
  7. Artists At Vizcaya October 19 at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
  8. Wine on Harvest Moon October 19 at the Deering Estate
  9. Jazz at Pinecrest Gardens October 26
  10. New World School of the Arts Repertory Dance Ensemble October 30 at the Aventura Art and Cultural Center

In case you have a free day in October with this calendar,remember most of our museums have free days every month.

Categories
Brickell/Downtown Miami Buying Coral Gables Miami Beach Neighborhood News Palmetto Bay Pinecrest Selling

Properties Close To Public Transportation Popular During and After The Recession

Brickell Trolley
Brickell Trolley

Properties that were in communities near public transportation with frequent routes did 42% better in maintaining their value than those that were not near public transportation.  As real estate sales in Miami continue to rise, neighborhoods near public transportation are some of the areas with the tightest inventories.

Many communities, such as Brickell and Coral Gables, have added trolleys and many suburban communities, such as Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay, have added People Movers.

Categories
Palmetto Bay Things To Do

Tomorrow is Fee-Free P.L.A.Y Day At Deering Estate

Looking for something to do with the family this weekend?  Start out tomorrow with a fee-free P.L.A.Y  Saturday at Deering Estate in Palmetto Bay.  P.L.A.Y stands for Preservation, Learning, Adventure, Year-Round and the day incorporates all of these in a beautiful, bay-front setting.

View from the Deering Estate
View from the Deering Estate

Categories
Coconut Grove Coral Gables Florida Life Key Biscayne Palmetto Bay Pinecrest Things To Do

Bike 305 Aims To Form An Interconnected System of Greenways, Bike Lanes and Trails

I recently visited Ecuador and enjoyed running on the Chiquinan Trail, a 20 km bike and running trail converted from an old railway trail.

Chaquinan Trail
Chaquinan Trail

While I was running, I thought it would be great if Miami-Dade had something similar.  I was thrilled to find out it does, though most of it is still in the making.  It is called Bike 305 and so far 130 miles, out of the 5o0 planned, have been completed.  The current routes include Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay.  I have run along several of the routes, without even knowing it was part of a grander plan to interconnect greenways, bike lanes, and trails.  I look forward to running more portions of the route as they come on line!

Bike 305

Categories
Buying Neighborhood News Palmetto Bay Pinecrest

Which Is Better Transportation Mode: Rail or Express Toll Lanes on US 1?

Metrorail and US 1

The Village of Pinecrest is hosting a town hall meeting at Pinecrest Gardens to discuss the proposed MDX US 1 Express Toll Lane project.  Anyone who travels on US 1 (also known as Useless 1) from Miami to communities south, has experienced the frustrating traffic and knows that relief is needed.  As proposed, the current project would address traffic from Dadeland South to Florida City and would require overpasses the height of Metrorail be built at intersections along the route.  If the goal is to move traffic off of US 1, wouldn’t a much more progressive plan be to build the 21 mile South Link extension from Dadeland South to Florida City?

Several studies have shown that commute times and access to public transportation are important factors in the home buying process.  Millenials, individuals between the ages of 17 & 35,  especially have shown a preference for communities that rely less on cars for transportation.

I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for a long time and they have an amazing public transportation system.  Many who have moved from Boston, New York, the DC/Virginia area and Europe, often comment on the lack of public transportation.  Do you think Miami should try to move away from the car and expand on it’s public transportation system?

Categories
Brickell/Downtown Miami Coconut Grove Coral Gables Neighborhood News Palmetto Bay Pinecrest South Miami

Green Corridor Extends From Cutler Bay to Miami Shores

Ygrene Energy Fund

A green corridor comprised of Cutler Bay, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami, Coral Gables, Miami and Miami Shores has been formed to assist in financing energy related improvements to property.  Formaly named The Property Assessed Clean Energy District (PACE), this new corridor will enable businesses and residents to finance energy related improvements to their properties through a special assessment on their property.  This program is strictly voluntary and provides a list of contractors as well as energy efficiency assessments.   If you can save money on your electric bill, would you take advantage of this program?

Categories
Neighborhood News Palmetto Bay Things To Do

Tomorrow Is Fee-Free Day At Deering Estate

If you have never been to the Deering Estate, or if it has been a while since your last visit, take advantage of tomorrow’s free admittance to get acquainted or re-acquainted with this beautiful historic estate.   Enjoy a variety of activities and programs, stroll through the house and grounds, and visit the Artist Village and see their works of art in progress.  As you leave the Deering Estate, stroll down to the people’s dock and enjoy the wildlife.

Deering Estate Taken From People's Dock

Categories
Coral Gables Neighborhood News Palmetto Bay Pinecrest

Pinecrest Recognized As A 2012 Playful City By KaBoom

KaBoom, a national non-profit whose “mission is to create great playspaces through the participation and leadership of communities”, will be awarding Pinecrest its Playful City USA Recognition at the Village Council’s June 12 meeting.

Other cities in Miami-Dade County that were recognized include Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay, Doral and Miami Lakes.  KaBoom’s recognition makes these cities eligible for grants that will support parks and recreation areas.  The more parks we have in South Florida the better!  Congratulations to all cities who made Kaboom’s 2012 List of Playful Cities.

Make sure to visit the parks in these cities over the summer.