If you're up early on Saturdays be sure to check out Community Voices on WEDR 99.1 FM hosted by Cheryl Mizell.

Yesterday's show was great. Mizell's three interviews covered HIV/AIDS, political hot topics and the Marlins baseball stadium project.

This show is another venue that keeps us informed and connected so do check it out. You can also connect with the show's host on Twitter and FaceBook; just search for Cheryl Mizell.

Oh yeah, if you're not usually up that early on Saturdays, wake up and listen. Peace.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Thank you to all the folks following me on Twitter. My number of followers has increased tremendously over the last three months although I'm not sure why. I don't know what happened but my Twitter statistics continue to increase; hopefully I can get to a thousand by year-end.

We received the following open letter to Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones [and indirectly to County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson]. Apparently, five residents from District 5 are not pleased with Spence-Jones' vote. Now that the City of Miami Commission approved the Marlins proposal 3-2, the County commission is up next. What say you?

© 2009, Blogging Black Miami, www.bloggingblackmiami.com

Vote for this blog for Best Pop Culture Blog and Best Blog About Stuff in the 2009 Bloggers Choice Awards.

Today is the day the City of Miami Commissioners vote on the Marlins Stadium proposal. There has been much drama lately as the deal seemed dead after County Attorney Robert Cuevas deemed it illegal because of the set aside.

Now the Marlins, NAACP, Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce and Latin Builders have somewhat formed an alliance addressing the compact between the Marlins, NAACP and the Chamber. It's likely that alliance will assure that commissioners will support the proposal.

City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones' issues of support for Overtown initiatives and jobs for local labor forces is still on the table also. Since her proposal did not explicitly address racial set asides, it may not seem so unpalatable to some folks now.

Anyhoo, when basic issues such as the offer to finance construction on the Miami arena site are discounted without serious consideration and the community's commitment to support the Marlins financially by attending games is not really addressed; the deal just seems suspect at best.

Desperately needed construction-related jobs can be created for projects actually needed in this community; that issue will not be cured by this one project.

There are also financial issues that haven't been hashed out. Discussions have been held with community leaders that may not have included the level of dialogue that would be comforting to taxpayers.

It would be a tremendous surprise if the City Commission votes this down today. Stay tuned.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Congratulations to Miami Northwestern Senior High School for winning a national contest entitling the school to a $250,000 'green' makeover.

The school won a campus overhaul that could include new solar panels and retrofitted lighting.

Congratulations to other local schools named finalists: Young Men's Prep; MAST Academy; Carver Middle and Phyllis Ruth Miller Elementary.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

It was nice waking up to the sound of rain this morning but some 18,000 FPL customers are without electricity this morning. It was hard to get up with the nice relaxing sound of the much needed rain. My lawn was almost brown so let's hope this precipitation helps.

Channel 7 also reported that a cold front will be moving through south Florida. What's up with that? I'm just getting over the flu from a week ago.

Drive safely and take an umbrella with you today.

OK, what really happened?  I was in a meeting earlier this evening and received a text message that the compact between the Marlins, Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce and Miami-Dade Branch of the NAACP is dead.

Miami-Dade County Attorney Robert Cuevas indicated he would not sign-off on the agreement because it was in violation of the law regarding set aside agreements. Commissioner Carlos Gimenez commented that he would not support the agreement because although the Marlins organization is financing a portion of the construction, it is their (the County's) project and the agreement is illegal.

Florida Senator Frederica S. Wilson has thrown her hat in the ring in the race to replace U.S. Congressman Kendrick B. Meek who’s going after the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Mel Martinez in 2010.

Wilson has entered a crowded field of declared and rumored candidates including Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson; Haitian activist Marlene Bastien; State Rep. Yolly Roberson; former State Rep. Philip Brutus; Miami Gardens Councilman Andre Williams; and State Rep. James Bush.

Inarguably, Wilson has the most name recognition and proven community service. She is perceived as a fighter; committed and well-liked by all segments of the community.

Nick Cannon hosts the fourth season of NBC's hit reality competition. Be in the audience as the best amateur performers from around the country compete! David Hasselhoff, Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan judge! Produced by Simon Cowell.

If you have a group of 20 or more you can attend the show as a fundraiser and earn money for your group!! For more information, please register by clicking here.

The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater
1700 Washington Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139

For more infomation about America's Got Talent, please click here.