This Miami Life

Tour Guide Discovers Lincoln Road Ghost Town During Urban Beach Week

Kelly Woodward — Sat, 25 May 2013 12:01:00 +0000

In preparation for Urban Beach Week, WLRN-Miami Herald News asked members of the Public Insight Network to weigh in on the festival.

Urban Beach Week "Gets A Bum Rap," Says South Beach Resident

John Ermer — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:51:20 +0000

In preparation for Urban Beach Week, WLRN-Miami Herald News asked members of the Public Insight Network to weigh in on the festival.

Bicycling In South Florida Isn't As Good As It Should Be, But It's Getting Better

Tricia Woolfenden — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:01:00 +0000

Year-round sun, miles of oceanside roadways, few changes in elevation: South Florida should be a paradise for even the most casual of bicyclists. But the state is also home to plenty of thoroughfares with posted speeds in excess of 50 mph., three lanes of traffic in each direction and lots of traffic lights. Not exactly a recipe for safe and happy cycling.

Miami Agency Enjoys Sweet Spot Of Gay Advertising

Daniel Hicks — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Dorn Martell doesn't act surprised to hear gay culture is hot right now after a perfect storm of recent events from legal rulings on same-sex marriage to headlines of professional athletes coming out.

Reporter's Notebook: A Musical Ode To A Roller Coaster

Kenny Malone — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

The Dania Beach Hurricane was the largest wooden roller coaster in Florida. Depending on your definition of "is" and "roller coaster," it might still hold that title. The ride shut down in April 2011, but the monstrous jungle of lumber still looms over I-95. The track is still there. The trains are still there. The Hurricane just doesn't run anymore.

Five Centuries Later, Florida Remembers Ponce de León's Tumultuous Arrival

Mari de Armas — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:02:00 +0000

Juan Ponce de León served as governor of Puerto Rico for a tumultuous five years. During that time, the native Taínos tried unsuccessfully to overpower him, but, in the end, it was the son of Christopher Columbus who unseated him during a political struggle for power in the New World. Ponce de León’s new “asiento,” or assignment, from Spain’s King Ferdinand II was to set sail and find – not the fountain of youth, as is widely thought – but the island of “Benimy.” After being at sea for nearly a month, he finally sighted land, but it wasn’t Bimini.

Read The Runners-Up (Amateur)

Staff — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:35:41 +0000

In April, we invited unpublished writers to submit their work as part of our Write South Florida contest. There were three categories in the contest: Amateur, College, and Children. These are the runners-up from the contest in the Amateur category.

FULL MOON FISH HOUSE

by Susan Brown

End Of The Line: Postcard From Alabama Jack’s

Robert Lyle — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:34:35 +0000

If you follow U.S. 1 to the very end of the Florida peninsula, veer onto Card Sound Road, and make your way through the mangrove swamps, you’ll find it. A wooden shanty with a roof but no walls: an open-air bar and restaurant. It’s the very last place on the U.S. mainland. And it’s called Alabama Jack’s.

End Of The Line: Artists Transform Your Old Prom Dress Into A Tree

Alicia Zuckerman — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:33:44 +0000

If you’ve ever donated an old coat or a dress, or even pair of socks, to a thrift store, there’s a chance it ended up in the Saatchi Collection in London. That’s because the Miami-based duo, Guerra de la Paz, makes thrift store throwaways into art.

Alicia Zuckerman went with them to their “art supply store,” as they call it, so they could show her how come up with their creations.

Edwidge Danticat’s Letter To Miami

Tina Antolini — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:31:00 +0000

This piece originally aired July 2011.

“Her Own Little Paris In Miami”

Alicia Zuckerman — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:28:52 +0000

Ruth Greenfield was a music teacher and a maverick. In the segregated 1950s and 60s, she ran a Miami arts school that included students and teachers from all racial backgrounds–even if she had to teach in a Masonic lodge or in a funeral home. She came from a privileged background and was able to study music in Paris, where people of all kinds interacted more freely.

Terence Cantarella Launches Monday 4/16. Why Is He Doing This?

Trina Sargalski — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:28:09 +0000

Terence Cantarella launches on his four day Canoe Project exploration on Monday morning from near NE 69th St. and Biscayne Blvd. in Miami.

Letter From Key West: Appreciating The Off-Season

Nancy Klingener — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:26:14 +0000

June 20th was the official first day of summer, but it’s felt like summer for weeks already. Many of us dread the humid days when we can barely walk to our cars without breaking a sweat. Writer Nancy Klingener has learned to appreciate summer and the off-season in Key West. Her full essay is below.

Nancy Klingener describes herself as “a recovering journalist, aspiring librarian and addicted reader” living in Key West, Florida. She’s also the writer behind the The Bone Island Book Blog.

Photos Of Day One Of The Canoe Project

Staff — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:24:31 +0000

Take a look at some of the stunning photos taken by Terence Cantarella as he canoes through Miami-Dade county’s canals this week. Terence is the man behind the Canoe Project here at WLRN.

The Canoe Project is an effort to shed some light on the unrecognized backdrop to our lives here in Miami-Dade: our city’s vast network of canals. These waterways completely surround us, yet, many of us don’t know where they go or why they are there.

Interview: Jim Mullin On Sean Rowe’s Miami-Dade Canal Adventure

Tasnim Shamma — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:24:03 +0000

Sean Rowe was hired by Miami New Times in June 1990 by Jim Mullin. Rowe was the first person we know of who circumnavigated Miami’s canals. We asked Mullin, who is now the publisher and editor of Biscayne Times, what it was like to be his editor on this project over two decades ago.

Q: How did you first learn about Sean’s plan and what was your initial reaction?

Photos: Day Three Of The Canoe Project

Staff — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:21:27 +0000

Here are some great photos taken by Terence Cantarella on the third day of his journey as he paddles through Miami-Dade’s canals. On day three of his journey, Terence canoed down the Miami River where cargo ships surrounded him. He also made his way through Blue Lagoon on his way to Coral Gables. Terence will eventually end his trip today near Coconut Grove. Be sure to join us in celebrating the end of Terence’s journey today at Scotty’s Landing in the Grove this evening at 6 p.m.

VIDEO: A Chat With Terence Cantarella About His Tropical Adventure

Ashley Lopez — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:20:16 +0000

Terence Cantarella, the man behind the the Canoe Project here at WLRN, had a chat with The Miami Herald‘s Michael Alen this week about waking up at day break, not sleeping well, and other aspects of spending four days straight in a canoe.

Canoe Project: “A Certain Amount Of Willful Lack Of Planning”

Ashley Lopez — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:18:58 +0000

Earlier this week WLRN Miami Herald’s Dan Grech interviewed Terence Cantarella, an intrepid contributor to WLRN who had the idea of navigating his way around Miami through its canal system in a canoe.

His proposed four-day journey became the Canoe Project: an effort to shed some light on the unrecognized backdrop to our lives here in Miami-Dade: our city’s vast network of canals. These waterways completely surround us, yet, many of us don’t know where they go or why they are there.

VIDEO: Terence Makes It To Scotty’s Landing

Staff — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:15:18 +0000

Terence Cantarella, the man behind the Canoe Project, completed his four-day journey yesterday as he paddled into Scotty’s Landing in Coconut Grove.

The project was an effort to shed some light on the unrecognized backdrop to our lives here in Miami-Dade: our city’s vast network of canals. These waterways completely surround us, yet, many of us don’t know where they go or why they are there.

Photos Of The Last Day Of The Canoe Project

Terence Cantarella — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:14:31 +0000

Terence Cantarella shared photos of the final leg of his four-day journey through Miami-Dade’s canals. Yesterday, Terence made his way through Coral Gables and eventually paddled is way to Scotty’s Landing on the water in Coconut Grove, where the WLRN staff celebrated his return to dry land.

Miami’s Canals In Books: Michael Grunwald’s ‘The Swamp’

Ashley Lopez — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:13:13 +0000

In an effort to add some perspective and history to WLRN’s Canoe Project, we’re also taking a look at books that add to our conversation about Miami-Dade’s canals.

The Canoe Project was a four-day long journey through Miami’s canals and waterways via canoe.

The Art Of Life Within Miami’s Waterways

Ashley Lopez — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:12:06 +0000

Part of the Canoe Project’s mission is to create a conversation, and ultimately some new understanding, of the nature of Miami-Dade’s vast network of waterways.

Contributing to this conversation today is Colin Foord, one of the brilliant marine biologists/artists behind Coral Morphologic, which is described as a “coral aquaculture laboratory and multi-media aquarium studio” here in Miami.

From An Expert: Pamela Sweeney On Miami’s Waterways

Ashley Lopez — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:10:55 +0000

As part of The Canoe Project’s mission to shed some light on Miami’s forgotten waterways, I spoke to Pamela Sweeney, a bona fide expert on Miami’s canal system and the Biscayne Bay. Sweeney is the Manager of the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve.

Letter From Key West: Bikes Blocked

Staff — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:08:55 +0000

“Our cars get dented form being parked on the street, and faded from sitting in the sun,” says Nancy Klingener in this essay on bike culture in Key West. “But our bikes, we take care of them… ”
Their bikes are so beloved, some people paint them up into “art bikes,” like the ones in these photos. These are all painted by Key West artists for a show at The Studios of Key West , and ridden in the Fantasy Fest parade.

Lorelei Ramirez: College Winner

Staff — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:06:16 +0000

Lorelei Ramirez was the winner in the College category of Under the Sun‘s unpublished writers competition.

Flagler Street

by Lorelei Ramirez

This is what we’ve got

These

My Mom Kissed Fidel

Dan Grech — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:04:39 +0000

This post goes in the “It’s a Small World” category.

Read The Runners-Up (College)

Staff — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:03:56 +0000

In April, we invited unpublished writers to submit their work as part of our Write South Florida contest. There were three categories in the contest: Amateur, College, and Children. These are the runners-up from the contest in the College category.

Mommy the Commie and Me

by Sadie Kurzban

Front Row Seat to Death Row Execution

Patricia Mazzei — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:00:13 +0000

Before his execution by lethal injection in Florida State Prison on September 28, Manuel Valle had spent 33 years on Death Row for killing Coral Gables Police Officer Louis Pena in 1978 and wounding another officer during a traffic stop. Valle was driving a stolen car and ran a red light. Officer Pena pulled him over and was subsequently shot in the neck. Valle fled, but was caught two days later.

There Everglades Runs Through Their Blood

Michael Keller — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:59:04 +0000

The Jones family has lived in the Everglades for five generations. They’ve made their livelihods in Mack’s Fish Camp, a spit of marshland that straddles the county line between Broward and Miami-Dade out west. They live among seven-foot alligators, painted turtles, blue herons and white egrets. They make a living fixing airboats, renting out bungalows and serving as guides for tourists and government researchers. They are known as Gladesmen.

The Poetry of I-95 and 26-Inch Rims

Jordan Levin — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:56:34 +0000

Hundreds of Miami-Dade middle and high school students listened to “Two Pianos” by Morton Gould.