Look in the Mirror, Miami

I don't always write about politics or paradigm shifts or parasites or Miami traffic or human trafficking in Miami, but when I do, I go deep. 

STATE OF THE NON-UNION

As I sat on the bus last night, way past pumpkin time on my way back from the event I hosted, I thought long and hard about the faces I didn’t see. And I thought long and hard too, about the faces before me. A wizened black man looked exhausted. I offered him my seat. He politely refused.

There was very little turnout at my event last night. I’m not really bothered by that. In fact, I’m grateful. Many of you who planned to attend contacted me and apologized because of last-minute issues that held you back. I know you were there in spirit. And for those of you who did show up, I am glad we could share some great conversation.

But this isn’t really about my event. In fact, even the turn out at the restaurant was slow. It’s really about the state of the union, which isn’t a union by definition.

Miami Backyard Traveler: Biscayne Bay to the Everglades

My beau and I spent a lazy Easter Sunday driving around South Miami-Dade County while enjoying the area's natural attractions and agricultural bounty. We covered Thalatta Estate in Palmetto Bay, Biscayne National Park, Card Sound Road, Florida City, the Redland and Chekika at Everglades National Park.

A HEAVENLY MILKSHAKE

Is it worth traveling an hour for a milkshake? For #vicequeenkitchen, it certainly is.

A highlight of any excursion to South Miami-Dade is a stop at Robert is Here, a fruit stand the now famous Robert began when he was just six years old in 1959 to sell his father's cucumber crop. The place is a cook's dream, filled with fresh produce, local handcrafted jams, dressings and more for the pantry. I stocked up on banana bread after the beau and I slurped on a luscious, creamy strawberry milkshake and munched on spicy boiled peanuts.

Miamians Fleeing to Homestead for Sexy, Sophisticated Entertainment

Nicole Henry heating up the sand with her sultry vocals. A still from the video At This Moment.

Ah, spring time in Miami. Our days are longer and slightly hotter. Boob sweat becomes more noticeable, portending the rainy season. Hordes of filthy barbarians (a.k.a. spring breakers) trash our beaches. Ravers flock to Downtown to suck on mollies and have sex with trees at Ultra Electronic Dance Music Festival.

Yet somewhere not so far away, stands a little theater bringing world-class entertainment to Miami-Dade County. In about the same amount of time it takes you to cross the Brickell Bridge from 8th street to Bayside during rush hour, you can escape to Homestead's newly restored Seminole Theater, a gem in the district known more of its agriculture, authentic Mexican restaurants and other culinary delights like the key lime shakes at Robert Is Here and the cinnamon rolls at Knauss Berry Farm.

FoodSpark Miami Breathes New Life into Hialeah

For any of you who’ve ever told me that Miami is full of fake posers who don’t give a shit about the city, kindly look past the bling and to grassroots movements that aren’t afraid of that road less traveled.

On March 12, 2016, FoodSpark Miami took over the abandoned Hialeah Tri-Rail Market train station, which to me seemed filled with ghosts of a world that never really existed. A would-be bustling center of transit and commerce lies lonely by the tracks, almost forlorn, sighing in anticipation of a better world that’s surrounded by a dynamic community of people instead of rickety warehouses.