Emerge Weekly Update (June 19th, 2012)
As summer starts to heat up, we’ll keep bringing you the hottest rundown of local news and upcoming events. This past weekend, we wrapped up an amazing Streets.Art.Cycles graffiti bike tour in Wynwood!
Wrapping up Streets.Art.Cycles
A glimpse from Saturday’s Wynwood Graffiti Tour to support the opening of Miami’s first bike co-op, Magic City Bike Collective! You’ll want to click-through the Wynwood Graffiti Bike Tour album put together by @AnotherTraveler to go directly to the scene of some of Miami’s best murals and street art.
Build A Better Block Pecha Kucha presentation
Last Saturday, we ventured up to Fort Lauderdale for Build A Better Block – an urban design exhibit demonstrating how temporary streetscape improvements, pop-up businesses, local culture, and street life can improve community and create connections. It was set up at Fat Arts Village, a burgeoning arts district in the 954.
We were inspired with ideas about how to develop a homegrown community space, as their special block is a cozy little spot featuring prop and puppet studios, art galleries, community theaters, and more. We had so much fun, we’re looking forward to hosting our own ‘Transportation’ themed one back here in Miami. In the meantime, check the slideshow from our presentation!
June 20th – Urgent meeting to prevent City of Miami from allowing Wal-Mart to rush through the zoning process
A recent move by the city has reignited debate about plans to develop a Wal-Mart in Midtown Miami. A recommendation from the planning and zoning board would essentially green light the project and allow Wal-Mart to develop the parcel without any further amendments and circumventing public input.
Questions are swirling around studies that have shown negative long term economic consequences, including net job loss, that result from Wal-Marts operations. Key stakeholders want to see a site plan before any of this is allowed, and there are broader concerns about how it would impact traffic in the area. Read up on Beached Miami‘s new article ‘Amendment + Walmart would snarl Midtown traffic, say critics‘ for more info.
Sign & Share the Petition: Just Say #NoWalmartinMidtown Miami: Boycott Shopping Walmart to Oppose their proposed Midtown Miami location
RSVP on Facebook.
June 21st – South Florida Human Rights Panel
Interested in South Florida’s record of upholding workers’ rights, voting rights and immigration? Check out the FREE Human Rights Panel Being Hosted by Amnesty International Chapter 248 & AmeriCorps Alums – Miami Chapter, from 7:00-9:00pm. The panel will represent issues that are relevant to South Florida and discuss why human rights are important to us, what problems we face, and how we can work to address them.
RSVP on Facebook
June 29th – Miami Critical Mass
Coming up on June 29th is Miami’s monthly last Friday Critical Mass! Take a look over the guidelines, and remember to stay safe out there! Meet up 6:30pm at Government Center Station.
RSVP on Meetup.
June 30th – Grand Opening of Magic City Bike Collective
Mark your calendars for the official grand opening of Magic City Bike Collective. This unique space will help to empower the bicycling community with a workspace, affordable repairs, workshops, and coaching cyclists in the fine art of bike repair. This Saturday evening party runs from 8pm-?
July 14th – Emerge Miami Critical Mass 6 Year Anniversary
6 Years of curated Saturday morning rides exploring Miami and discovering hidden gems off the beaten path. Come celebrate with us, as we head from University Station to Tropical Park for water balloon fights, watermelon, and picnic snacks. More info coming soon!
Bike Racks Greenlighted
The South Florida Bike Coalition wants to donate the funds and work with UBike to get a Self Service Bike Repair Station for UM. We are looking into locations and the possibility to have further racks installed in accessible areas of high visibility, likely with the help of Kickstarter. We’ll be keeping you posted as we’re super excited to see this project go forward!
Looking for more contributors
Calling all bloggers, civilian journalists, and local activists! Interested in contributing to the Emerge blog? We’re on the lookout for more authors to help diversify our content. Shoot us an email or stop by the next Emerge meeting where Adam will be hosting a down-and-dirty WordPress training. June 26h, 7pm at Sweat Records.