For the First Time Ever P*O*P Cards Now Valid on Weekends

MIAMI, FL –  In celebration of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the Miami-Dade County Youth Fair & Exposition is offering the community a savings of $27 per person. The package includes one 2014 Youth Fair admission ticket and one P*O*P (Pay One Price) ticket for unlimited rides for ONLY $20. For the first time ever, P*O*P Ride Cards are valid on Saturdays and Sundays. This special Thanksgiving holiday online promotion takes place from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, November 29^th through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, December 2^nd.

“This is a great opportunity for our Youth Fair guests to save on their 2014 admission and P*O*P ride tickets while supporting the community and our mission to showcase student achievement and promote South Florida’s agriculture,” said Bob Hohenstein, President and CEO.

To purchase this special Thanksgiving package and other Youth Fair items this Thanksgiving Weekend, visit www.fairexpo.com/thefair. The regular 2014 Youth Fair time price is $12 admission, $25 P*O*P Ride Card weekdays and $35 P*O*P Ride Card on Weekends.  Youngsters 5 and under and seniors 65 years and better will receive free admission every day, all day.

CANCELLED

Today's Peaceful Protest & Rally against the city of Miami Gardens Police Department has been cancelled. Organizers were unable to secure a permit from the City. Now who's really surprised by that?

A protest and rally regarding the civil rights violations of black Miami Gardens residents by white Miami Gardens police officers has been scheduled for 4 P.M., Friday, November 29, 2013 at the Quickstop on NW 32nd Avenue and 207th Street.

The horrific and unbelievable story of the blatant mistreatment of blacks in a majority black municipality of Miami-Dade County led by blacks has gone viral in the media and Miami, not just Miami Gardens is looking all kinds of bad to the rest of the nation.

Friday's rally is advertised as a peaceful protest and free food and drinks will be available.

Cameron D. Benson, City Manager for the City of Miami Gardens, has released the following statement regarding the current issues that confront the Police Department:

Benson

“The City of Miami Gardens is committed to the safety and welfare of all residents, businesses and patrons that visit our City. Throughout our 10-year history, we have maintained a safe, healthy and thriving community. We applaud the efforts of our 520 employees for their steadfast dedication and commitment to making the City of Miami Gardens one of the best places to live, work and play.

Recently, allegations of misconduct involving a few members of the City’s Police Department have been made. Along with these allegations, video surveillance tapes have been produced. We are deeply bothered by these allegations and are taking immediate actions to further investigate and address these claims. These are the immediate steps the City is taking:

1. We have initiated an in-depth internal investigation into these allegations.

2. We have requested that the State Attorney’s Office review all findings to ensure that all violations of

   administrative procedures or misconduct are swiftly and comprehensively addressed.

3. We will be working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to ensure that the City’s Police

   department is in compliance with all approved procedures.

Additional steps are being discussed and will be announced at a later time.

As the City Manager for the City of Miami Gardens, it is my duty to ensure the safety and welfare of our residents, visitors and employees. My office will serve as the point of contact for all matters pertaining to this issue.

Rest assured - I along with the entire leadership of the City of Miami Gardens, will continue to work diligently to ensure the quality and value of our service to all. Our zero-tolerance crime policy remains in effect as we continue to move forward to ensure greatness for our community. Thank you.” 

Swearing-in for Attorney Keon Hardemon, City of Miami, Commissioner, District 5 has been relocated to the Hilton Miami Downtown, 1601 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132

A new era begins as Attorney Keon Hardemon is scheduled to take the oath of office as the Commissioner of City of Miami, District 5 at noon on Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at City Hall the Hilton Miami Downtown. The address of City Hall is 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, FL 33133 is 1601 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132, in the Symphony Ballroom. RSVP by calling (305) 250-5390. Refreshments will be served.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration’s online portal is ready to accept nominations for its 2014 National Small Business Week Awards, including the annual Small Business Person of the Year award.

Now in its second year, the dedicated web portal http://nationalsmallbusinessweek.sba.gov/ has made it easier to submit and track submissions of nominees for National Small Business Week.

"There are many outstanding entrepreneurs and small business advocates within SBA South Florida’s 24-county district.  This annual awards program is our way of recognizing that excellence,” said SBA South Florida District Director Francisco “Pancho” Marrero.  “The revised online portal is an excellent way for nominating a south Florida business person for a national award.  District and Florida small business award guidelines will be announced soon.” 

Since 1963, National Small Business Week has recognized the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses for their contributions to their local communities, and to our nation’s economy.  For over 50 years, SBA will continue its tradition in honoring the nation’s 28 million small businesses.

SBA Awards given in celebration of National Small Business Week include the following awards:

• National Small Business Person of the Year (chosen from among state award winners from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam)
• Phoenix Awards (recognizing outstanding accomplishments during disaster recovery)
• Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year
• Small Business Subcontractor of the Year
• The Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence (recognizes large prime contractors who have used small businesses as suppliers and contractors)
• SBA 8(a) Graduate of the Year (for recent graduates of the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program)
• Exporter of the Year
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC)Excellence and Innovation Award (nominations of SBA-funded SBDC Service Centers)
• Women’s Business Center (WBCs) of Excellence Award (nominations of SBA-funded WBCs)
• Veterans Business Outreach Center Excellence in Service Award (nominations of SBA-funded Veterans Business Outreach Centers)

In addition to the portal, south Florida nominations can also be sent directly to SBA South Florida District Office at:  100 South Biscayne Blvd. Seventh Floor, Miami FL 33131.  All nominations must be submitted online, postmarked or hand delivered to the SBA no later than the end of the day, Friday, Jan. 17, 2014.

Winners of the Small Business Person of the Year award and other award categories will be invited to Washington, D.C., in 2014 to compete for national titles and to attend National Small Business Week events.

To highlight the important role parents play in their children’s academic success, the Florida Department of Education is hosting a video contest for parents. Parents are encouraged to participate in the contest and distribute the following information to other Florida parents. The winner will receive a family four-pack of tickets to LEGOLAND and overnight hotel accommodations. Finalists will receive $50 Visa gift cards. The official contest flyer is available here: 2013 Parental Involvement in Education Video Contest.

Here is some additional information about the contest.

All Florida parents are encouraged to participate. Do you volunteer in your child’s classroom, create learning activities at home or come up with creative ways to stay involved? These are just a few ideas for your video entry.

In 45 seconds or less, tell how you stay involved and engaged in your child’s education. Submit your video entry by tweeting the video (or video link) to @educationfl or posting the video on the department’s Facebook page by Wednesday, November 27, 2013. Remember, videos do not have to be professional quality.

If you have any questions or concerns, email [email protected]. Good luck!

Have you been watching Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s PBS series “The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross,”? The sixth and final episode airs Tuesday, November 26^th at 8pm ET/PT.  Titled A More Perfect Union (1968 – 2013), this episode explores the new future African Americans sought following the victories of the civil rights movement, but instead, ran into a growing class disparity that threatened to split the black community in two.  As hundreds of African Americans won political office across the country and the black middle class made unprecedented progress, larger economic and political forces isolated the black urban poor in the inner cities, vulnerable to new social ills and an epidemic of incarceration.  

Yet, African Americans of all backgrounds came together to support Illinois’ Senator Barack Obama in his historic campaign for the presidency of the United States.  When he won in 2008, many hoped that America had finally transcended race and racism.  By the time of his second victory, it was clear that many issues, including true racial equality, remain to be resolved. This episode also includes coverage of the fatal shooting of Miami Gardens teen, Trayvon Martin by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman while Trayvon visited Sanford, Florida.

Now we ask: How will African Americans help redefine the United States in the years to come?

Here’s a sneak peek of episode six featuring The Root’s Questlove.

On Wednesday, November 20, 2013, Rik Rak Salon, Boutique & Bar hosted a private reception showcasing the vibrant paintings of Miami-based artist Gina Ramos along with a pop-up-shop highlighting the boutique’s latest fall/winter fashion collections. Guests enjoyed a selection of Rik Rak’s indulgent services including complimentary eyebrow waterproof painting, $4 mini manicures and $10 mini manicures with mood polish (a color altered-by-mood gel polish). A portion of the evening’s proceeds went to benefit the Chapman Partnership, an organization dedicated to providing the necessary resources and assistance for homeless men, women and children.

Tania Francois, Wendy Francois and Regine Merisier

Raquel and Rik Watters