November
2
posted by Bob Anonymous
[Note: Bob Anonymous is a person who for job-related reasons needs to keep their identity undisclosed. We welcome a rebuttal or endorsement from Regalado's camp if they would like to put their two cents in. -ed.]
Early voting has begun for the Mayor of Miami race, with tomorrow – Tuesday, November 3rd – as the official voting day. Most people are not even aware that a race is taking place and few know anything about the candidates. As a resident in the City of Miami I don’t think I’ve seen a more important election.
The current candidates are Commission Chair Joe Sanchez and Commissioner Tomas Regalado. Mr. Regalado has positioned himself as the opposition candidate. He had opposed parks and culture (Museum Park), he has opposed mass transit (Miami streetcar), he has opposed pedestrianism and livable communities (Miami 21and the tunnel to get semi trucks out of downtown). In a recent Miami Herald article even Regalado’s supporters claim he has no vision for Miami, and he claims he doesn’t see Miami as a metropolis.
Mr. Sanchez has been an advocate of many of these projects because they make Miami a better city and provide jobs, which have been hit hard since the construction of condos slowed. Mr. Sanchez has not only been a vote for making Miami great, but he has also lead through advocacy. His chairmanship on the Green Commission led him to an active role in helping to make Miami more sustainable. His leadership as the chairman of the Downtown Development Agency made him a leader in developing downtown into one the burgeoning metropolis it is today. Joe started Viernes Culturales (Little Havana’s Cultural Fridays) to highlight the culture of Calle Ocho, and it’s been ongoing for several years. During his campaign he’s also had several campaign parties at Transit Lounge.
Miami has a lot of problems and your vote for Joe Sanchez can put us on the right path to fixing them. Please vote early, and vote for Joe Sanchez #81. You can read more about Joe at http://www.joesanchez.com/
Tags: News, Politics | Comments
July
17
posted by Lolo
Dear friends of Sweat,
My blood is boiling right now and yours should be too because the latest county budget proposes to cut a seriously major chunk of funding for the arts and arts organizations in Miami.
Please use this link to find out who your district Commissioner is and write them an email. From the statistics I’ve read, most people are so lazy that when someone actually does write an email they sort of weigh it as the opinions of as many as 100 individuals who didn’t make the effort.
So make the effort! If there was ever a good reason that will affect you directly, this is it. The letter from Michael Spring of the Department of Cultural Affairs is pasted below, and funnel the emotion you get from reading it into a very polite and passionate email…
(more…)
Tags: Activism, Politics | Comments
June
16
posted by Lolo
Dear Miamians,
Tomorrow is the first meeting of a special Music Task Force created to further the development of our beloved music scene. Yes, the local governments actually care and want to help! There was an open Town Hall meeting at the Museum of Science two weeks ago and here are some of the ideas that came from it:
- A music industry portal website that aggregates all of the music sites and promotes venues with live performances
- Incentives for radio stations to promote local musicians and bands
- Try to involve the local business community so that they support local bands, i.e. Burdines commercials used local bands – the commercial was also a music video
- Create a directory specific to the local music industry similar to the Miami Production Guide
- Create a virtual forum where music industry professionals can exchange thoughts, ideas, etc.
- Have official signs outside of venues that play live music that say LIVE MUSIC
- Partner with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau to create a guide of local venues that play live music to distribute at hotels
- Have live music showcases at the art galleries during monthly gallery walks
- Create a brand for Miami’s entertainment industry i.e. Austin, Live Music Capital of the World
- Create more opportunities for music industry educational seminars and panels
- Hold regular networking events
The meeting tomorrow is to discuss the best ways to move forward. Which of the above do you like? Do you have any other suggestions or recommendations? What seeds can we plant together to grow our scene to be even more awesome and amazing and fruitful for everyone??
Please leave feedback in the comments and I’ll gather them to present at the meeting.
Much love and keep on keepin’ on! We’ll be the next Seattle/Austin/etc. yet…
Tags: Activism, Music Scene, Politics | Comments
June
2
posted by Lolo
For those who’d like to put in their two cents…
The Miami Dade Film & Entertainment Advisory Board and FilMiami
Invite You To Attend A
Music Industry Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
Miami Science Museum
3280 South Miami Ave.
Miami, FL 33129
We want to hear from music industry professionals about the current state of Miami music industry, issues, what it needs to flourish and how can local government and business community support and help in the industry’s growth.
Please join us for this important meeting as we look towards the future of Miami’s music industry.
Come out and engage with other local people interested in growing Miami’s music scene. MUCH better than sitting on your ass and complaining! You can RSVP here, hope to see you there.
Tags: Activism, Music Scene, Politics | Comments are unavailable for this post.
