Blogging Black Miami

Ballpark court case delayed

MIAMI MEGAPLAN

With expert witnesses unable to appear, the next phase of auto dealer Norman Braman's lawsuit was pushed back.

Posted on Sat, Jul. 19, 2008

By CHARLES RABIN

crabin@MiamiHerald.com

PATRICK FARRELL / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jeri Beth Cohen is weighing legal arguments and may rule next week.

The Florida Marlins' bid for a new ballpark hit a temporary courtroom delay Friday, as some expert witnesses could not appear and the judge put off the most significant legal issue still standing.

That issue: Whether to order a public vote on the financing plan crafted by the team and government. [More...]

CNN’s Black in America

After much fanfare, CNN's special series, Black in America, will premiere at 9 PM, Wednesday, July 23. I will have just enough time to leave the Michelle Obama reception to get home to watch it. Sure, I could record it but I'd prefer to see it as it is broadcast. Let's hope the show lives up to its hype and will not be more of the same old re-hashing of the negatives that affect our community.

CNN Presents: Black in America continues with "The Black Woman & Family." Soledad O'Brien explores the varied experiences of black women and families and investigates the disturbing statistics of single parenthood, racial disparities between students and the devastating toll of HIV/AIDS. O'Brien reports on the progress of black women in the workplace and the status of the black middle class. Premieres in HDTV on Wednesday, July 23, 9 p.m. ET

 

Journey into the Mind of Tupac

Ground Up & Rising, a 501(c)3 non-profit company devoted to the growth of the dramatic arts, today announced their upcoming production of The Hate U Gave: The Tupac Shakur Story. Starring and written by Miami-based artist Meshaun Labrone Arnold, this original play will be staged at Miami-Dade Community College, Kendall Campus, from July 11th to July 28th at 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 PM on Sundays. Tickets are $20, and $15 for seniors and students. Special industry night performances will be held on Mondays at 8 PM where audiences will be invited to watch the play and asked to "pay what they feel" after the show.

"This amazing new play from Meshaun vividly depicts Tupac on an emotional roller coaster ride that showcases his volatile anger, introspective vulnerability and much, much more." says Jose Terrier, Marketing Director for Ground Up & Rising.

From Carbonell nominated and critically acclaimed South Florida actor / playwright Meshaun Labrone Arnold comes The Hate U Gave: The Tupac Shakur Story, an incendiary journey into the mind of Tupac through the playwright's eyes. The intensity unfolds inside the mind of a man imprisoned by his past, society, self, reality, and regret, as he fights to wrestle away freedom from the enemies that lie within. His adversaries are reflections from his thoughts, each character representative of the demons that haunted his life, mind, and soul until his death.

The Hate U Gave: The Tupac Shakur Story fulfills Ground Up & Rising's ongoing commitment to giving young, local artists valuable opportunities through its signature programs. Ground Up & Rising will workshop, rehearse, and produce the world premiere of this new work from a Miami-based playwright as part of its Workshop 2 Product Program. Additionally, Ground Up & Rising's Bridging the Gap Program will expose talented high school and college theatre students to the professional theatre experience by encouraging them to become intimately involved in all aspects of this production, from backstage to onstage.

Miami-based artist Claudio Picasso from CP1 Art Inc. will help set the scene with impressive artwork that emphasizes the positive attributes of spray paint as a medium. Directed by Arturo Fernandez, Producing Artistic Director for Ground Up & Rising, The Hate U Gave is part of the company's 2008 Season of Cultural Expansion. Ground Up & Rising's 2008 Season is produced in association with Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs, the Board of County Commissioners and WLRN.

Related Links:

http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/theater/story/593058.html

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/events/the-hate-u-gave-the-tupac-shakur-story-1059894/

http://cbs4.com/local/Play.Tupac.Shakur.2.773093.html

http://www.miamiartzine.com/vol3/issue65/1right.htm

County Commission, State Rep and Judicial Candidates at Forum July 21

Don't miss the political forum hosted by The Miami Times, IN FOCUS Magazine and The Wilkie D. Ferguson Bar Association, tomorrow, 6:30 p.m., Monday, July 21, 2008 at Mount Calvary MBC, 1140 NW 62 Street, Miami.

Miami-Dade County Commission – District 3, State Representative – District 109 and Judicial Candidates have been invited to participate.

There may be many forums during this political season but it is important for us to make sure that the right persons are elected to political office and that they do not take our votes for granted. It's not about who looks good or throws some pennies our way. These political forums are our opportunity to interview the candidates who apply for the prestigious positions to represent us. Don't sleep on this or take this for granted. Stay connected and get informed.

Although Obama fever has taken over the world and engaged the masses from a national perspective, let's not forget our local responsibility when it comes to elections, accountability and responsibility. Remember that true change is from the bottom up.

Design Star contestant, Mikey V, on administrative leave from job as cop

As to be expected, the Hollywood, FL police department put Mikey V on administrative leave pending investigation of his alleged gay porn star past. The photo of 'actor' Jeremy Wess looks a lot like Verdugo right down to the tattoo.

The police department already knew of Mikey's sexual orientation. Unfortunately, the investigation of alleged pornographic activities prior to his employment as a law enforcement officer could jeopardize his law enforcement career.

Mikey V was the sex appeal among contestants in this season's HGTV Design Star competition; the show will be a little boring without him.

Meet Michelle Obama in Miami

Michelle Obama is scheduled to visit Miami on Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 6 pm, at Parrot Jungle . 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132.

 

It's a fundraiser reception benefitting the Obama Victory Fund. Contribution levels vary from a minimum $100 (General Seating)to $500 (Preferred Seating) and $5,000 (Includes photo with Michelle Obama) for hosts.

 

The deadline to RSVP is July 22^nd. RSVP now: https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/July23Miami or contact Georgette Brammer at (305) 442‐7464 or gbrammer@barackobama.com.

 

 

Legal stuff you need to know: The Obama Victory Fund does not accept contributions from currently registered federal lobbyists, registered foreign agents, political action committees, or minors under the age of 16. Federal law prohibits the acceptance of corporate contributions. Contributions and gifts to the Obama Victory Fund are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

 

 

Shocking arrest of two police officers in cocaine and gambling ring

Local police officers Michael King and Antonio Roberts were fired from the Miami-Dade Police department for findings released that detailed their involvement in a gambling and drug ring. Both were veteran officers but it is Roberts' arrest that it likely more shocking.

Now only was Roberts a veteran cop; he is also a gifted artist. His family is shocked and in disbelief as are long time acquaintances. Roberts and King are incarcerated pending a bond hearing next week.

Almost 40 people have been arrested in the investigation that began some two years ago.

 

Related Links:

Two Dade Officers Arrested In Drug & Gambling Ring

2 Dade cops charged in drug, gambling ring

US Attorney - Cocaine Ring Charges In Miami, Including Two Police Officers

There’s No Taking Back the Mic from Soulfège

Soulfège (pronounced 'sOl-fezh) is a musical group whose sound is not easily categorized. They've been described as 'what would you get if Bob Marley were jammin' with The Fugees on a street corner in West Africa." How about Afropolitan fusion?

I'm not going to try to put them in any box. Let me just say straight up that these folks are going to force me to buy an iPod. I have an iPod for work and until now had not felt compelled to purchase one for my personal use. Soulfège has changed that. Their new digital album, "Take Back the Mic," is awesome. It's such a wonderfully funky soulful eclectic mix of music of the world. The vibe is upbeat, positive, and infectious.

Pick a song, any song. I can't decide which of their tunes from this album is my favorite. I love conscious lyrics over a tight beat. I love island music. I love percussion. "Take Back the Mic" brings all that and more.

Not only are the members of Soulfège brilliant musicians and lyricists, they are just brilliant. You may remember DNA from his viral YouTube video putting an interviewer in check when he was grilled about Barack Obama during the presidential primary; it's priceless. Band mates Kelley Nicole and Johnathan Gramling complete the magical musical team.

This group is awesome and so is this album. Check them out and spread the word about Soulfège. By the way, if you don't have iTunes you can still purchase the album by using Sound Station.

Internet Presence:

Official website

MySpace

FaceBook

Marlins balk as Braman testifies in megaplan suit

Plaintiff Norman Braman's testimony marked Day One of the lawsuit over Miami's megaplan -- bringing more discord.

Posted on Tue, Jul. 15, 2008

By CHARLES RABIN

crabin@MiamiHerald.com

CARL JUSTE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Auto dealer Norman Braman opened his lawsuit against Miami's megaplan Monday by sparking a short, but fiery, debate over the financial well-being of one of the project's prime recipients: the Florida Marlins.

• Stadium's fate hangs in balance
• Miami-Dade, Marlins win a round in court
• Make a deal on Miami megaplan, judge orders
• Video | Megaplan challenge lands before a judge
• [More]

Civilian Panel: Chief Timoney Guilty Of 6 Charges

Timoney Has Previously Been Fined For Breaking State And County Ethics Laws

Reporting
Gary Nelson
E-mail

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Miami's Civilian Investigative Panel has found Miami Police Chief John Timoney guilty of 6 out of the 9 allegations when he accepted the free use of a Lexus SUV provided by a local dealer.

Tuesday night the CIP made its findings public, and announced the charges he is guilty of, including being untruthful in the course of the investigation, and misleading the news media--violating public policy. However, when a CBS4 News investigation revealed that Chief John Timoney was driving a set of luxury wheels for free, the Chief said, "There's been a perception created that somehow I was getting something for nothing."

What Chief Timoney dismissed as "perception" in that August, 2007 news conference became a cold reality Tuesday evening when Miami's Civilian Investigative Panel (CIP) took up the report that alleged nine violations of law or department policy by the chief of police.

The CIP's probe began after CBS4 Reporter Gary Nelson revealed that Timoney drove a Lexus SUV at no charge, courtesy of Lexus of Kendall. [More]