Ashley Sanchez graduated with an Associates in Arts degree from Miami Dade College in 2018. After receiving her AA degree, she transferred to Florida International University in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy. She will begin applying to different graduate programs in the upcoming year to further her education in pursuit of becoming an Occupational Therapist. Ashley has a passion for adventure, sports, dancing and loves to spend quality time with others. Although she was born and raised in Miami, Florida, she is eager to become a tourist in the city she has grown to love and be able to see it from a different perspective. She is ready for all the adventures that are yet to come. This is her Miami as Text.
Ashley Sanchez is a Cuban American fourth-year student at Florida International University who was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She graduated with an Associates in Arts degree from Miami Dade College in 2018. After receiving her AA degree, she transferred to FIU in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy. She is currently in the FIU Honors College and is part of the Pre-Therapy Student’s Association. She has also competed in several intramural sports at FIU including human foosball, volleyball, and kickball. She will begin applying to different graduate programs in the upcoming year to further her education in pursuit of becoming an Occupational Therapist. Ashley has a passion for adventure, sports, dancing and loves to spend quality time with her family and friends. This is her Miami Service Project.
WHO?
Special Olympics’ goal is to change the lives of individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities by providing them a brand new world of inclusion. Their goal is to break down the barriers that individuals with disabilities face when it comes to inclusion, and provide them a way to stay active and become incredible athletes.
Their mission statement says, “The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community” (“Mission”, 2022).
WHY?
As a future occupational therapist, my goal is to improve individuals’ overall biopsychosocial well-being. I want to make a difference in the lives of individuals with mental and physical disorders so that they can become more independent and be able to use their talents in a way that isn’t hindered by their disabilities. I believe that sports and physical activities are one of the best forms of therapy and a great way to nurture friendships. That is why Special Olympics is such an incredible organization.
Photo taken by Paolo Stanchi // CC by 4.0
Over the years I have had the opportunity to be an active volunteer for several organizations and institutions that cater to individuals with disabilities. I have volunteered in places/events such as: The WOW Center, Shake A Leg Miami, Special Olympics Florida, and Adaptive Bike Days sponsored by Memorial Hospital. Each experience has further nurtured my passion and love for helping others. They have given me a chance to deepen my drive to improve other’s lives and lower the barriers they face. Since Special Olympics combined the two things that I love-sports and helping the disabled community-I knew it was the perfect fit for me.
HOW?
Early in March, I was at a volunteering event for individuals with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities. I was in charge of handing out forms to the participants and as I handed a participant form to a man who came with his son, he began talking to me about his job at Special Olympics as their softball, volleyball, and bowling coach. I introduced myself and had a conversation with him about my plan to become an occupational therapist, my love for sports, and my passion to help others with disabilities. He immediately said he would love to have me on their team as a volunteer.
After exchanging numbers, I was able to reach out to him and ask if I could volunteer in any of the upcoming volleyball practices and he immediately texted back saying he was glad I had reached out and that practices are every Saturday morning. And just like that, I showed up to the upcoming Saturday practice and signed the form to become an official Special Olympics volunteer.
WHERE AND WHAT?
The team practices every Saturday from 9am-10:30am at Nova Southeastern University in the second floor of the Don Taft Center located on 3301 College Avenue Fort-Lauderdale-Davie. The team also has home tournaments and travel tournaments throughout the season.
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
I was able to meet all the team members and other volunteers at the first practice. All the athletes were extremely welcoming and showed a bright smile on their faces when they saw that I was going to be their new volunteer. Some of them have intellectual disabilities such as Down Syndrome and others have physical disabilities such as visual impairments. However, their passion for the sport propels them to disregard the societal and physical barriers that they constantly face, and allows them to work hard to succeed.
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
As a volunteer, I helped out with their drills and participated in scrimmage games. In the first drill, the athletes took turns serving the volleyball over the net at least 3 times-their goal was to perfect their spike serves. After each participant served 3 times, they took turns trying to return the ball on defense. This takes a lot of coordination, skill, and team work which can be extra challenging for them because of their disabilities. I helped the coach make sure that everyone took their turn, coached the athletes on different strategize that would help them return the ball, and made sure everyone was working well as a team.
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
WHEN?
Registered and Approved Hours on myhonors
SUMMARY
It’s sad to think about the fact that without organizations like Special Olympics, the individuals I met may have never gotten a chance to participate in a sport which allows them to stay active. Living a sedentary life can be extremely detrimental for anyone, but especially, those with disabilities since they already face added health obstacles. Being able to play sports will allow individuals with disabilities to socialize, put their cognitive skills to the test, and improve their cardiovascular and neuromuscular health. Special Olympics makes that possible for them.
The world has come a long way when it comes to treating individuals with disabilities with the respect they deserve. At some point in time and still, today, a disability is looked down upon or pitied. However, individuals with disabilities deserve to be included and deserve to be heard. Special Olympics doesn’t only create sports programs for disabled individuals. The organization offers unified sports programs which allows individuals of all abilities to play in the same sport together, further emphasizing their goal to create a more inclusive world. Not only does this create an environment for the participants to feel like they are just another one of the “normal” kids, this raises awareness for the able-bodied community to be able to fully immerse themselves into that kind of environment.
Throughout history, many have advocated for the rights of the disabled community, and many institutions have been able to provide them a better overall quality of life like Special Olympics. However, there is still a lot of work that has to be done and I will continue to advocate for inclusion and speak on behalf of the voiceless to continue making these changes.
Ashley Sanchez is a Cuban American fourth-year student at Florida International University who was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She graduated with an Associates in Arts degree from Miami Dade College in 2018. After receiving her AA degree, she transferred to FIU in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy. She is currently in the FIU Honors College and is part of the Pre-Therapy Students Association. She has also competed in several intramural sports at FIU including human foosball, volleyball, and kickball. She will begin applying to different graduate programs in the upcoming year to further her education in pursuit of becoming an Occupational Therapist. Ashley has a passion for adventure, sports, dancing and loves to spend quality time with her family and friends.
The city of West Miami is not as widely known as many of the other cities in South Florida, even for individuals who have lived in South Florida all their lives. The city has a fairly short history being that it has been less than a century since it was incorporated in 1947. It is located in the U.S. state of Florida nestled between Tamiami Trail and Coral Way. Although the city is small in mileage-only three-quarters of a square mile long-it has a lot to offer its residents and visitors (“City of West Miami – Official Website”, n.d.). It is one of the 34 municipalities that belong to Miami-Dade County-among the other 33 municipalities are Miami Beach, Hialeah, Homestead, Florida City, Doral, etc. (“Miami Dade At A Glance”, n.d.). The city lies at “3 feet/1 meter” altitude and has a density of “4,767 Pop. per km² as of 2020” (“West Miami, FL – Geographic Facts & Maps”, n.d.).
HISTORY
It’s hard to believe that reduced cocktail hours and banned gambling rooms were what propelled four men to establish a new city in Miami-Dade County, yet, that was the exact push they needed to incorporate the city of West Miami in 1947. When the county began implementing these restrictions, four businessmen and a group of residents each invested $400 which went towards the development of the new city. The area that is now called West Miami was first inhabited by veterans who served in WWII since lots were being given out for free to encourage settlement in the area. The city has grown immensely over the years especially since it started with a population of only 700 residents (“City of West Miami – Official Website”, n.d.). According to Data USA, the amount of residents the city has as of 2019 is 7,788 (“West Miami, FL”, n.d.).
DEMOGRAPHICS
Most of West Miami’s residents, 92.3% to be exact, are primarily Hispanic which should come to no surprise because of its close proximity to Calle Ocho and Little Havana. Sixty-three percent of the city’s residents were born outside of the country and most of the common origins of the foreign-born residents are either Cuba, Haiti or Columbia. The residents have a median age of 44.9, however, the median age for native-born residents is 23 and for foreign-born residents it is 54. West Miami is also home to many military personnel who served in either one of the Gulf Wars or the Vietnam War. As of 2019, West Miami has a median household income of $49,942, a median property value of $335,800, an employed population of 3,854, and finally, a poverty rate of 15.8% (“West Miami, FL”, n.d.).
Interview with Mirtha
Ashley: “Hello, please introduce yourself”
Mirtha: “Hello, how are you? My name is Mirtha”
Ashley: “Have you always lived in West Miami?”
Mirtha: “No, I also lived in Boston for 2 years.”
Ashley: “Have you noticed any changes in the city since you first moved here?”
Mirtha: “Yes, there have been many changes. Before there was more compliance as to the rules of the city. Now the city is adding many buildings all around and has diminished the value of our homes, has added more residents which equals a lot more traffic. Having these renters now, also increases the chance of crime in our safe neighborhood. West Miami has always been known to be a “Residential” area and these buildings have taken away the “character” this city once had.”
Ashley: “What is one thing you would change?”
Mirtha: “One thing I’ll change is ….Construction of high rise buildings not buildings period. Keep it a residential area. We rather they increase our taxes, then bring these building in.”
Ashley: “What’s your favorite thing about the city?”
Mirtha: “What I love about this city is the neighbors we’ve had for many many years. We are lucky to have at least 8 neighbors that have been with us the 25 years. One of the reasons we have great neighbors is because they are homeowners instead of renters, they care for the city as much as we do.”
Ashley: “Why did you choose to live here?”
Mirtha: “We chose to live here because it’s very centric to anything in the city. I always wanted anything easy of the palmetto. I love that it’s a small city too. Lower taxes, less congestion.”
Ashley: “Alright, those were all my questions. Thank you for your time”
LANDMARKS
West Miami City Hall
The West Miami City Hall office opens Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM and is located on 901 SW 62nd Avenue. It serves as a passport office where individuals can apply for new passports, minor passports, or replacement passports. The city hall hosts a variety of different meetings such as planning and zoning meetings; regular city commission meetings; red light camera hearings; and code enforcement meetings throughout the week. Their mission statement says “The City of West Miami takes pride in delivering efficient city services to residents and to the businesses located within our Municipal boundaries. We take pride in our ability to deliver personalized service” (“Mission Statement”, n.d.) .
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
Temple Beth Tov-Ahavat Shalom
Temple Beth Tov-Ahavat Shalom is located in West Miami on 6438 SW 8th Street. It was the first ever traditional synagogue to be established in West Miami back in 1955. Most of the credit for the establishment of the synagogue should be accredited to Morris Harris who was the first president under the spiritual guidance of Rabbi Maurice Klein. The synagogue has a lot to offer its members, some of which include: “…religious services on Fridays nights, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays…Adult Education classes as well as Conversion classes…guest speakers, Holiday Dinners & Mizvot Programs…[and a] Sisterhood and Men’s Club also [which] offers a variety of programs and activities” (“Welcome to Temple Beth Tov, Ahavat Shalom, a House of Prayer and Study”, n.d.).
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
American Flag in Cooper Park
The American Flag stands tall facing the rest of Cooper Park, or Edmund P. Cooper Park, located on 57th Avenue and 16th Street. The flag serves as a symbol of freedom and as recognition of the privilege Americans have to live in this country. The monument serves as a commemoration of two Jewish War Veterans from 1951-their busts can be found on either side of the flag. There is a slab underneath the flag that reads “To the glorious memory of our comrades of every race, color, and creed who have made the supreme sacrifice that this monument might stand in a free America”.
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
GREEN
Garden Club Park
Garden Club Park is a very small park that belongs to the city of West Miami. The park is fully gated making it a great option for parents with small children, that way, they don’t have to worry about their children running into the street. The park has a playground area and picnic benches and it is located on 6585 SW 12th St.
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
Edmund P. Cooper Park
Edmund P. Cooper Park (also called just Cooper Park) is a park I personally grew up going to. The newly renovated park has a lot to offer including: two different playgrounds; a sand area with swing sets; a gazebo for birthday parties and events; parking for its guests; sidewalk throughout the perimeter of the park for rollerskating, skateboarding, walking, biking, etc.; and much more. The park is located on 5751 SW 16th St.
Photos taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
West Miami Recreation Center
The West Miami Recreation Center has a lot to offer and it is conveniently located in the heart of the city on 901 SW 67th Avenue. The Rebeca Sosa Multipurpose Facility building is open Monday-Friday but the outdoor facilities are open 7 days a week. Some of the facilities the park has to offer include: “two basketball courts; two tennis courts; a four-wall racquetball court; a multi-purpose field for baseball, t-ball, soccer, football; a playground, some shaded trees; picnic tables; and park benches” (“West Miami Recreation Center”, n.d.). And the Rebeca Sosa Multipurpose Facility contains a billiards table, two foosball tables, a TV with movie options, and several board games to choose from.
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
TRANSPORTATION
Many individuals in West Miami get around by car-although that might change in the upcoming years due to the raise in gas prices. Most houses have at least 2 cars parked in their driveways and the streets of the quaint city are usually packed with cars that are parallel parked against the sidewalks. An added benefit is that the city is located minutes from State Road 826/Palmetto Expressway which travels North from U.S. 1 and that has a convenient 8th St. exit that can lead drivers directly to the city. Some individuals bike or walk around the city as well.
Residents and visitors have the option of downloading an app, such as Uber or Lyft, that will allow them to request a ride from a local driver. Companies such as Uber or Lyft hire drivers who use an app to take requests from individuals who need a ride to a specific place. These two companies have grown immensely within the past few years, making it super accessible and easy to get a ride within minutes.
Freebee is a newer company of fully electric vehicles that service smaller, local communities such as West Miami. It allows individuals to “experience their local communities without the stress of parking and traffic…while aiding the economic development of local communities and advocating for a greener, safer earth” (“Freebee”, n.d.).
Lastly, another option of transportation available to West Miami is the Metrobus. It is a great way to get around the city for cheap. “Metrobus serves all major shopping, entertainment and cultural centers, as well as major hospitals and schools. Service is available from Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, West Miami-Dade, Broward County, Homestead, Florida City and the Middle Keys” (“Metrobus”, n.d.).
FOOD
El Mago de las Fritas
The Cardenas family opened their own restaurant in 1984 when they moved to Miami, Florida from Cuba. The Cardenas named their restaurant El Mago de la Fritas because when Ortelio and Eva Cardenas lived in Cuba, Ortelio was coined as El Mago when making fritas. The restaurant has been featured on the Food Network, Food & Wine, Miami New Times, Man v. Food, and the Travel Channel. The restaurant is not only known for its Cuban frita, however, the restaurant’s hot dog was voted the best hot dog in all of Florida in 2020. The restaurant can be found on 8th St. and 58th Ave. and it opens Monday-Saturday from 10:30am until 8 or 9pm (“El Mago de las Fritas”, n.d.).
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
La Palma
La Palma is another great Cuban option when it comes to finding great authentic Cuban food in West Miami. The restaurant opened back in 1979 and it is known for its Cuban food, but it also offers Caribbean and Latin American food options. Some of their menu items include: picadillo (ground beef), sopa de platanos (plantain soup), pan con lechon (roast pork sandwich), and ropa vieja (shredded beef). You can find La Palma on 60th Ave. and 8th St. (“La Palma Restaurant in West Miami , FL”, n.d.).
Photos taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
Sarussi Subs
Sarussi Subs has been serving the city of West Miami for over 50 years. This restaurant is located on 8th St. and 67th Ave. They are most known for their Cuban sandwiches and their Original Sandwich, but Sarussi Subs serves all types of famous Cuban dishes. The restaurant has even been featured in two different Travel Channel shows called Miami Hot Spots and Man v. Food. On their website they mention that their mission is to “continue bringing our dear customers the best Cuban food and always that warm place of family gathering” (“The Authentic Cuban Sandwich”, n.d.).
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
BUSINESSES
Belleza Femenina
Belleza Femenina is a Columbian shapewear store. The store sells authentic Columbian shapers that come in all different styles: panty, capri, short, boxer, ankle length, and cincher. The business also sells accessory items such as: neck wraps, compression sleeves, abdominal binders, and post-surgical bras. Belleza Femenina can be found on 62nd Ave. and 8th St. On their website they mention “We offer a variety girdles models for reduction of measures, post-surgery, exercise, among others. We have 15 years of experience in the Colombian girdles market and we offer the most exclusive collections of the brands” (“Home – Belleza Femenina – BF Shapewear”, n.d.).
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
VCA Cabrera Animal Hospital
VCA Cabrera Animal Hospital is dedicated to providing quality care to their four-legged patients. Their top priority is for their patients to receive the best possible health care and to make sure that their staff is trained on the latest veterinary procedures and medicines. They treat dogs, cats, and other pets as well. The business has a lot of different services to offer its patients including: “…orthopedic surgery, digital radiology, laser surgery, in-house ultrasounds, artificial inseminations, breeding assistance, nutritional health, endoscopy, microchipping, behavioral concerns, acupuncture, and holistic medications” (“Our Hospital: VCA Cabrera Animal Hospital: VCA.”, n.d.). The VCA Cabrera Animal Hospital is located on 63rd Ave. and 8th St. Their well-trained staff members consist of veterinarians, technicians, client services representatives, pet care specialists, and a hospital manager.
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
AnotherLevelFit
AnotherLevelFit is a gym/physical fitness center that is located on 895 SW 67th Ave. The small business is open 7 days a week and it offers a variety of fitness classes for all ages and fitness levels. Their goal is to motivate others to be the best version of themselves physically, mentally and spiritually. They want to change the stigma exercise has of being a chore or obligation, rather, they want their members to look at exercise as a way to achieve an overall healthier lifestyle. The gym has a fairly small space, however, it is equipped with a large array of gym equipment to meet the needs of all its members. The description on their Facebook page says “The satisfaction of our mission lies in showing individuals their perceived limits and fears. Teaching them how to overcome them, followed by celebrating their success, as they surpass their limits!” (“AnotherLevelFit”, n.d.).
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
SUMMARY
Overall, the city has its pros and cons. West Miami is a small city, one that not many South Floridian locals even know about. It is a great city to raise a family and it has many options to choose from to go out to eat, enjoy a day at a park, etc. Its central location makes it very convenient to live in since it is less than a 30 minute drive from most major cities in South Florida. The city is considered a safe and family-friendly place with a low crime rate.
Although West Miami takes pride in its low crime rate, their overall cost of living are substantially above average when compared to the national average. Employment in West Miami is also not exceptional since the median household income and the income per capita are both substantially lower when compared to the U.S. average.
The population has definitely grown throughout the years, making the once quiet and quaint city to be densely populated and packed. With the addition of large apartment buildings in the heart of the city, the tranquil environment the city used to take pride on has changed over the years. Since Miami, as a whole, has had to adjust to the influx of individuals moving into the city, the demand for more housing has propagated small cities like West Miami to expand. This, however, does not please the residents.
Living or visiting West Miami will make anyone feel like they are no longer in the United States because of the city’s immense cultural diversity. It is incredible to see how many Hispanics have populated West Miami over the years. A large percent of the population are first generation immigrants, like my parents, who have raised their children as Americans while still instilling in them the culture from their native country. Since there are so many immigrants, they have made West Miami their home by bringing their cultures and customs with them, for example, the Cardenas family who started their own Cuban Frita restaurant in their new hometown. This is what makes cities thrive. This is what has helped West Miami be the successful, multicultural melting pot it is today.
Temple Beth Tov, Ahavat Shalom. “Welcome to Temple Beth Tov, Ahavat Shalom, a House of Prayer and Study.” TEMPLE BETH TOV, AHAVAT SHALOM, INC., https://bethtovahavatshalom.org/.
Ashley Sanchez is a Cuban American fourth-year student at Florida International University who was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She graduated with an Associates in Arts degree from Miami Dade College in 2018. After receiving her AA degree, she transferred to FIU in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy. She is currently in the FIU Honors College and is part of the Pre-Therapy Students Association. She has also competed in several intramural sports at FIU including human foosball, volleyball, and kickball. She will begin applying to different graduate programs in the upcoming year to further her education in pursuit of becoming an Occupational Therapist. Ashley has a passion for adventure, sports, dancing and loves to spend quality time with her family and friends.
The city of Miami Springs was created 95 years ago in 1926 and it is located in Miami-Dade County on the east coast of Florida. “Miami Springs is located at 25°49’20″N 80°17’22″W (25.8223200, -80.2895000)” (Mapsofnet). The city lies at 7 feet/2 meters altitude and its density is 1,769 Pop. per km² as of 2020. The city is in a very central area, “Located ‘in the heart of it all,’ Miami Springs is bordered by Miami International Airport, the City of Hialeah, the Village of Virginia Gardens and the Town of Medley” (About Miami Springs). The 2.9-square-mile, triangular-shaped city has an intriguing history and has flourished over the years without losing its “small-town” feel. The city offers its community a large array of “…family-oriented civic amenities, including parks, racquetball and tennis courts, golf course, municipal pool and new community center and theater” (About Miami Springs).
Photo by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
HISTORY
Miami Springs was originally known as the “Country Club Estates” and started with a population of only 128 residents. The city’s name was changed to Miami Springs because of the natural springs that were once located in the area. Miami Springs was the 5th municipality to incorporate after the City of Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, and Hialeah. The city played a role in the history of aviation in South Florida since it served as the location for Glenn H. Curtiss and James Bright’s flying school. It is no coincidence that today the city of Miami Springs is located near the Miami International Airport which is the primary airport serving the Miami area (History of Miami Springs).
Photo by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
Access to plentiful fresh water that could be found on the Miami Springs Golf Course property was a draw to City of Miami. As a matter of fact, “The freshwater wells found on the golf course provided the first organized water supply system for the City of Miami. Before that, residents relied on individual wells.” Understandably, the Miami Springs Golf Course plays an integral role in the history of the city—especially since it was the first one built in all of Miami-Dade County. The golf course is still in use today and has hosted many renowned events like the Miami Open and even community events like local tournaments and its annual fireworks show in celebration of the Fourth of July. An interesting fact about the golf course is that it was the first golf course in Florida to allow Black individuals to play (History of Miami Springs).
DEMOGRAPHICS
According to the United States Census Bureau, Miami Spring’s 2021 current population consists of 13,859 people (United States Census Bureau). Much of the population consists of women (53.7%) and persons 65 years and over (19.4%). The predominant races in the city are White (94.7%) and Hispanic or Latino (76.7%). Being that Miami Springs house prices are amongst the most expensive in all of Florida, the median household income is $61,795. There are 308 veterans living in the city and 52.8% of residents are foreign born persons (United States Census Bureau).
INTERVIEW WITH GABRIELLA PEREZ (A MIAMI SPRINGS RESIDENT)
Gabriella Perez (Miami Springs interviewee) // CC by 4.0
Ashley: “Hello, please introduce yourself.”
Gabriella: “Hi, my name is Gaby Perez. I’m from Miami Springs, Florida. I study Business Analytics at the University of Norte Dame. I was born in Miami Beach, Florida but I went to school at Blessed Trinity Catholic School from the time I started Pre-K until I was 5 years old when my parents decided to move to Miami Springs.”
Ashley: “How would you describe Miami Springs?”
Gabriella: “I would describe Miami Springs as a family-friendly city. From my experience, families will move to Miami Springs when they are starting to have kids and stay there until they’re old. And this happens for multiple generations. Some of my best childhood memories are events I would go to with my family hosted by the city of Miami Springs. For example, every year they have a Fourth of July parade where they have a lot of fun events and free food. I took swimming lessons as a kid in the Miami Springs Recreation Center and played soccer in the local soccer league.”
Ashley: “Have you noticed any differences throughout the years you have lived in Miami Springs?”
Gabriella: “I live in front of the Miami Springs Golf Course and every year they host a Fourth of July fireworks show. Ever since my family and I moved to Miami Springs, we have made it a tradition to invite family and friends to watch fireworks in our front lawn. Something I’ve noticed as I’ve grown older is that every year, this event has become more and more popular which, in turn, has demanded for more security personnel and regulations regarding parking. I think that this is a trend that speaks for Miami Springs as a whole because I know that home prices have gone up throughout the years which is a resemblance of the fact that the city is no longer a ‘hidden treasure’ and people are now starting to discover it.”
Ashley: “Name something you don’t necessarily like about the city.”
Gabriella: “I think that Miami Springs is located in somewhat of a weird spot in the city, given that it’s a family-friendly town. It is located near the airport and 36th street which are both very hectic. Not to mention, the crime rate especially on 36th street is decently high and Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center is located minutes from Miami Spring’s town center. I remember having to go on lockdown when I went to school at Blessed Trinity Catholic School because someone escaped from that prison. I think all this is ironic since the city is known for its family-friendly atmosphere.”
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
LANDMARKS
Miami Springs is home to its very own Miami Springs Historical Museum which just recently had its grand opening on the first weekend of November. “The MSHMuseum focuses on the life of Glenn Curtiss, the Curtiss/Bright communities, and the commercial aviation industry of Miami” (Miami Springs Historical Society and Museum). The museum hosts three special exhibits called Wings/Memories of Eastern Airlines, Country Club Estates Becomes Miami Springs, and Battlecreek. The new museum is open every Saturday in the month of November for just a few hours in the middle of the day and limited timed entry tickets are required due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
The Glenn H. Curtiss Mansion and Gardens is another important historic landmark in the city of Miami Springs that cannot go unspoken. It’s hard to miss this prestigious landmark that is located in the golf course grounds. The Pueblo Revival-style Mansion is part of the National Register of Historic Places and was once owned by Glen H. Curtiss. “Now managed by Curtiss Mansion, Inc. on behalf of the City, this architecturally unique venue is available for private rentals for meetings and celebrations of life’s milestones. The mansion has also become a central and welcoming gathering place for many local community groups and a variety of free or reduced admission events that are open to the general public” (Glenn H. Curtiss Mansion and Gardens).
Photo by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
Lastly, another historical landmark worth mentioning is the Clune-Stadnik Building that is also part of the National Register of Historic Places. This building is “The only surviving structure from the original ‘civic center’ envisioned by Glenn Curtiss” and “…has survived hurricanes, floods, fires, burglaries and buy-out attempts” (Clune – Stadnik Building). In the beginning years of the establishment, it was owned by the Curtiss-Bright Company and used for office spaces of the company’s chief engineer Daniel Clune and local small businesses. Today, it still houses private offices on the second floor and restaurants on the first. Interestingly enough, after all these years, the exterior retains its original appearance (Clune – Stadnik Building).
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez //CC by 4.0
GREEN
Miami Springs has its very own dog park called the Bark Park located on 599 Quail Avenue. This is an “off-leash” dog park that welcomes all dogs to roam around freely and enjoy the outdoors. The park has many amenities to offer for both the dogs and their owners. There are benches situated around the park for owners to relax while they let their dogs enjoy themselves in either the small dog area or the large dog area. “This dog park is a favorite spot within the Miami Springs community, and many people claim that the park is well-maintained, quiet, and in a convenient location” (Miami Springs Bark Park).
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
Prince Field is one of the 3 beautiful parks the city of Miami Springs is home to. Located on 343 Payne Drive, the park has several amenities to offer to the community. It is home to the Miami Springs Golden Hawks Tackle Football team as well as the Miami Springs Area Little League. Three of the park’s amenities include a football field, two baseball fields, and a playground (Prince Field 343 Payne Dr).
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
The Miami Springs Golf Course and Country Club is one of the city’s most visited spots. This golf course attracts both local and traveling players of all skill levels. The 18-hole course features 6,755 yards of golf and was designed by Thomas ‘Tubby’ Martin. As previously mentioned, this golf course has a rich history that plays a distinctive role in the city’s development (Miami Springs Golf & Country Club). The idea to construct a golf course was brought up by members of the Miami Coconuts Golf Committee because they did not have a clubhouse nor course to play on. “At the meeting in the spring of 1922 the Miami Coconuts decided that if Miami was to continue to grow as a resort center, facilities should be provided for the entertainment of thousands of guests who come to Miami” (Miami Springs Golf & Country Club). After many meetings and shortcomings because of the lack of money in the budget to construct the course, the Miami Springs Golf Course became Dade County’s first municipal golf course in 1923 (Miami Springs Golf & Country Club).
Gabriella Perez at the Miami Springs Golf Course & Country Club. Photo by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
TRANSPORTATION
It is fairly easy and quick to get to Miami Springs from almost anywhere in South Florida since it is centrally located. The city itself even has its own transportation system called the City Bus which is a free MS/VG shuttle bus. The shuttle bus has stops in Hialeah and even offers a complimentary service to the airport from the E.B. Hotel (Free MS/VG Shuttle). If you want to use public transportation to get to Miami Springs, you can either use the bus or the subway. Stops closest to the city include; “…Westward Dr & Albatross St; N. Royal Poinciana@Oriole Av; W 3 St & Palm Av Hialeah; Okeechobee; Hialeah Market Station” (Moovit). The city, however, is easily accessible through car and even offers many parking options that do not require any sort of payment. An added benefit to the location of the city is its close proximity to 2 major highways: State Road 112 (the Airport Expressway) and the Palmetto Expressway (or State Road 826). And to include one last type of transportation, which over-emphasizes the value of the location, is that the city is nearby a boat ramp just off NW 27th Avenue which allows access to and from the city. This gives boat owners the chance to access Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
FOOD
Crackers Casual Dining is a family-owned restaurant in the heart of the city that serves Southern dishes with a Florida twist. This restaurant is unique since it offers its guests the option of sitting indoors, outside under the Chicken hut, or even in their beautiful back garden. The garden is especially worth mentioning since it “…offers an al fresco feel with wild flowers and garden knick knacks for the eclectic touch” (Crackers Casual Dining). The restaurant offers lunch, dinner and brunch and their menu consists of a variety of options ranging from burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and soups. One of their most popular appetizers is their Fatty Fries which are french fries topped with freshly made gravy, cheese, and bacon (Crackers Casual Dining).
Photo by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
My personal favorite restaurant in Miami Springs located around the Circle is called Harvest Moon Gourmet Bistro. This restaurant serves a variety of healthy food options including natural juices, salads, smoothies, melts, gyros and sandwiches. The restaurant takes pride in “…providing the healthiest, fresh and delicious food since 1997” (Harvest Moon Bistro). Their Caesar Chicken Melt is especially worth mentioning because, in my opinion, it is their best menu item. It comes with chicken and Caesar dressing on top of melted mozzarella on a piece of flat pita bread.
Photo by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
Airport Cafe & Liquors is a full liquor store and restaurant located right behind the Miami International Airport. The family-owned place is unique to Miami Springs and is recognized as one of Miami’s best hidden gems. It has been open since 2007 and its known for its “…friendly atmosphere, ambiance, and quality service” (Airport Cafe & Liquors). The restaurant opens early to attract early bird customers and has a unique blend of menu items from a Central American Breakfast plate to a typical all-American breakfast plate.
Photo by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
BUSINESS
The Glam Cult is “An intimate and chic aesthetic studio space, that creates a comfortable atmosphere for the client who wants the ultimate private experience. We offer a unique personal beauty experience where services are never double booked and the client receives the individual attention they deserve” (The Glam Cult). Located in a very secluded spot on the second floor of the Clune-Stadnik Building, the Glam Cult offers waxing, eyelash lifts, and skincare services.
Photo taken from @theglamcult on Instagram // CC by 4.0
Springs Dental is a dental clinic run by two dentists by the names of Dr. Legon and Dr. Navarrete. This dental clinic is known for providing optimal oral care for the community of Miami Springs and offering many different services “…from simple regular check-ups to cosmetic dental veneers, to complex full-mouth implant placements” (Springs Dental).
Springs Dental photo taken from Google // CC by 4.0
Animal General Hospital offers many pet services to its local community to ensure pet owners are satisfied with the hospital’s job in caring for their pets and keeping them healthy. It is a locally owned practice and provides extensive services that include, “General medicine, vaccinations, laser surgery, EKGs, radiology, endoscopy, and dentistry” (Animal General Hospital). Dr. Tom Campbell was the founder of the hospital and Dr. Kelly Murray is now the main veterinarian.
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
SUMMARY
Just like any city in Miami-Dade County, Miami Springs is not perfect. The perks to the centrally located city includes its array of locally owned businesses, outdoor spaces, and historical landmarks. The city offers a quaint and tranquil ambiance and family-friendly amenities, while also providing a rich history that makes the city, as a whole, an integral part of the overall history of Miami-Dade County. However, the city’s average household income far surpasses the average household income in all of Florida which goes to show the income inequality that takes part in making up the city. Also, the city’s ethnic majority consists of White and Hispanic individuals and a very low concentration of minority groups, for example, African-Americans and Asians (Data USA: Miami Springs, FL).
Aside from the negative, the city does an exceptional job at maintaining a small-town feel by hosting a variety of local events that keep their community united. The Circle Theater at 33 Curtiss Parkway in Miami Springs plays a large role in bringing the community together. The Circle Theater hosts events sponsored by different organizations, churches, schools, and businesses that bring individuals from all over the city to gather in community. This small-town feel is something that is hard to find in Miami which, over the course of years, has become over-developed causing congestion.
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
Whether you’re stopping at the Miami Springs Golf Course & Country Club for a chance to get a hole-in one or trying out Cracker’s Casual Dining’s Fatty Fries, Miami Springs does not disappoint. Its central location attracts individuals from all over South Florida and its close proximity to the airport makes it a convenient location to visit if you are not a local.
G., Maria, et al. “Animal General Hospital.” Full Service Animal Boarding & Baths, Animal Surgery, General Veterinary Medicine in the Miami Springs / Medley, FL Area – Animal General Hospital, https://animalgenl.com/.
Ashley Sanchez is a Cuban American fourth-year student at Florida International University who was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She graduated with an Associates in Arts degree from Miami Dade College in 2018. After receiving her AA degree, she transferred to FIU in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy. She is currently in the FIU Honors College and is part of the Pre-Therapy Student’s Association. She has also competed in several intramural sports at FIU including human foosball, volleyball, and kickball. She will begin applying to different graduate programs in the upcoming year to further her education in pursuit of becoming an Occupational Therapist. Ashley has a passion for adventure, sports, dancing and loves to spend quality time with her family and friends. This is her Miami Service Project.
WHO
This past October I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Deering Estate doing a Chicken Key Cleanup. The Deering Estate is located on the east coast of Florida near the Palmetto Bay area and serves as a historic site and museum. It is known for preserving the 1920’s era Miami estate of Charles Deering. Chicken Key is about one mile northeast of the Deering Estate. The island “…was formed by the deposition of quartz and limestone sands by ocean currents,” and “An 1899 survey by S. H. Richmond recorded a maximum elevation of three feet above sea level” (Deering Estate Natural Resources).
Miami in Miami Chicken Key Cleanup October 6 2021. Photo by Deering Estate staff // CC by 4.0
WHY
I took this opportunity as a chance to give back. Although it didn’t relate to my major, volunteering has always been something I am passionate about. As someone who wants to work in the healthcare field in the future, my passion is to give back to others and, in turn, to our community. Canoeing and being out in the water is something I have always enjoyed doing, and now I can add beach cleanups as another hobby on my list of interests because I enjoyed every minute of it.
Photo by Oscar Roa // CC by 4.0
HOW
I was given this amazing opportunity to participate in the Chicken Key Cleanup because I am enrolled in the course Miami in Miami. This course allows me to learn about the historical, social, and cultural identity of Miami in a complete immersive way.
It was an adventure from the minute my classmates and I arrived at the Deering Estate. While we made our way to the island, we took many photos and shared stories. It was a great way to bond and experience the outdoors. Although we were uncoordinated at first, we were able to find our rhythm and be one of the first groups to arrive at the island—not that it was a race or anything.
Doing a beach cleanup was something that I had been wanting to do for a while and being able to experience it with my classmates, while getting educated by Professor Bailly, was incredible. It definitely made me realize just how oblivious I was to the amount of debris that makes its way into our waterways and how it poses such an immense threat to marine life.
WHERE AND WHAT?
Our class started off with a debriefing given to us by Professor Bailly at the Deering Estate Boat Basin. We stood by the shoreline, canoes in front of us. We were then asked to get in pairs of two or three and choose a canoe.
Photo by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
We got to canoe into an area where the mangroves almost entirely blocked the entrance-way, yet, left enough room for us to paddle through it. As we paddled through the mangrove forest, branches with beautiful leaves reached over the water and tree branches poked at us almost as if they were asking for our attention. We learned about the importance of the mangroves to the ecosystem—how they help reduce hurricane impacts, provide shelter for many different marine organisms, and lastly, how their branches serve as nesting areas for birds.
Photo by Afifa Fiaz // CC by 4.0
Once we made it to Chicken Key, we docked the canoes by tying them to nearby mangrove trees and settled down in what looked like an outdoor campfire pit. From the minute I got off the canoe, I realized the amount of debris that was floating around the shoreline. Minutes after putting down our belongings, we rushed into the freezing water and then, had our lunch. Once we finished our meals, we each took a bag or two and split up to pick up as much debris as possible.
Photo by Afifa Fiaz // CC by 4.0
It was saddening to see the amount of bottle caps, styrofoam, glass, plastic, and bottles scattered around the island. Since I was mostly focusing on picking up the smaller items, I was only able to fill up one bag. The smaller objects are sometimes the most dangerous since the marine animals tend to think the items are food and they will swallow it. Before it was time to head back, we all got to meet and hold Mr. Krabs, one of the island’s hermit crabs.
Photo by Afifa Fiaz // CC by 4.0
WHEN
Registered and Approved Hours on myhonors
SUMMARY
There are some things that worked and some that didn’t. One thing that didn’t work at first, which I previously mentioned, was our paddling coordination. Another thing that didn’t go as I had planned it to was that I first picked up two trash bags to fill up, however, I was only able to fill up one. I definitely underestimated how much time it took to look for the small pieces of debris. I kept looking around at my classmates, discouraged, thinking I wasn’t trying hard enough. But, I had to keep reassuring myself that I was making just as much of an impact. What worked is how, collectively, we were able to fill up a substantial amount of biodegradable bags filled with debris that would have otherwise been harming the island and its marine life. Also, we were able to load the bags into a pickup truck and unload them into a dumpster where they would no longer be in harm’s way.
Even though it may seem like we are not making a big impact, each cleanup contributes to an overarching mission. Professor Bailly showed us a picture of what the island looked like before the cleanups and there were piles of debris all over. It was disheartening and eyeopening to see how careless we can be with the beautiful habitat we were created for. The habitat that is and always has been home for us from the beginning of time.
Not only did Professor Bailly give us the opportunity to do the cleanup, he was able to lecture throughout the experience. Knowledge is power and being able to learn about Chicken Key, the mangroves, Biscayne Bay, etc. will hopefully encourage us as students to educate others and become more active in protecting our ecosystem. This is an experience I will never forget and I hope to be back soon on Chicken Key collecting more debris.
Ashley Sanchez graduated with an Associates in Arts degree from Miami Dade College in 2018. After receiving her AA degree, she transferred to Florida International University in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy. She will begin applying to different graduate programs in the upcoming year to further her education in pursuit of becoming an Occupational Therapist. Ashley has a passion for adventure, sports, dancing and loves to spend quality time with others. Although she was born and raised in Miami, Florida, she is eager to become a tourist in the city she has grown to love and be able to see it from a different perspective. She is ready for all the adventures that are yet to come. This is her Miami as Text.
Downtown as Text
Photo taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
“Modernization or Culture Loss?”
by Ashley Sanchez of FIU at Downtown Miami, 08 September, 2021
Miami is such a unique city with an incredible history, yet, not a lot of people know much about it-not even locals who were born and raised in the city. I am one of those locals who was born and raised in this urban center that many individuals from all kinds of cultures call home. In order to get to know Miami’s roots, Downtown Miami is a great way to start since it is considered the “…history center of Miami”(“Greater Downtown Miami”).
It comes as no surprise that, since it is coined the “history center” of Miami, there are many well-preserved historic buildings and sites that are accessible to the public; some of which include the Freedom Tower, the Miami Circle, Miami Dade County Courthouse, English Plantation Quarters, and many more. These sites all represent a different part of Miami’s intriguing history and deserve to be preserved for generations to come. However, there are several sites that have been transformed, modernized, or even wiped out.
The city’s developers have been so preoccupied with the modernization of the city, that they have turned their backs on the different places and treasures that made a huge impact on making Miami what it is today. An example of this is the trolley service. The trolley played an integral part in Miami’s transit system history. The trolley era unfortunately came to an end in 1940 when “…the last Trolley Car entered its barn at Southwest Second Street and Second Avenue for the last time” (“History of the Trolley in Miami”). Although we have a modernized version of the trolley system today, it does not compare to the streetcars that once busied the streets of Miami benefitting communities, tourism, and preventing urban congestion.
by Ashley Sanchez of FIU at Downtown Miami, 22 September, 2021
On a gloomy Wednesday afternoon, I had the privilege of visiting Hialeah Park along with my other classmates and Professor Bailly. It was our last stop of the day. We had been getting off and on the Miami-Dade County Metrobus all morning walking through the streets of Overtown and visiting historic churches. However, visiting the historic racetrack in Hialeah was what really stood out to me.
I had never heard of Hialeah Park before Wednesday’s class. I have always thought of Hialeah as just the place where most of my friend’s grandparents live, including mine. I would have never guessed that such a historic gem known for its wide variety of entertainment options was located in such a secluded area in the center of Hialeah, Florida. As I walked through the property, I couldn’t help but feel like I was transported back to the 1920’s, visiting the racetrack alongside my wealthy family. Sitting in the stadium seats that looked out into the racetrack where horses once competed, I felt as if I could hear crowds of people chattering and passionately yelling to show their support for the horse they had placed their bets on. Climbing the steps that led out unto the balcony with the arches seemed like I was walking into a movie set. It overlooked the beautiful gardens and the stables which were located towards the back of the property.
Although the gloomy clouds made the picturesque gardens look almost colorless, there was one color that could not be missed. The pink accents that were visible all throughout the property—on paintings, tarps, railings, and on the color of the flowers. Almost every time I would look in a different direction, the pink color would catch my attention. I figured the significance of the pink color was to represent the flamingos which were kept in the infield of the racetrack. However, I tied it into another significant part of the history of Hialeah Park.
Diane Crump was the first woman jockey to compete against men in a horse race. As anyone could imagine, this caused a lot of turmoil and many of the male competitors were opting out of the race hoping that she would no longer want to race. This, however, did not stop her from wanting to compete. It must have been incredibly hard for her to stay in the competition since many people would yell things like, “Go back to the kitchen and make dinner!” and “You’re never going to win!” They would also throw items at her which caused her to need a police escort for the race and even while she competed, the men would try to drag her back. She is a great example of a strong female that did not stoop down to the societal expectations of a woman. She fought to be heard, seen, and compete.
Vizcaya as Text
Photos taken by Ashley Sanchez and Afifa Fiaz // CC by 4.0
“Dona Præsentis Cape Lætus Horæ, et Linque Severa”
by Ashley Sanchez of FIU at Vizcaya, 24 October, 2021
A Roman poet once said “Dona præsentis cape lætus horæ, et linque severa” which translates to “Gladly enjoy the gifts of the present hour, and banish serious thoughts”. I believe this quote perfectly encompasses the ambiance and spirit of the Vizcaya estate on Biscayne Bay. The Vizcaya property is now owned by Miami-Dade County and used as a museum which also showcases its alluring gardens behind the estate. The estate had once belonged to a wealthy man by the name of James Deering. Mr. Deering’s character was anything but ordinary and his taste in architecture very distinct. There were no two rooms alike and his tendency to showcase his wealth was a common trend throughout the main house.
Mr. Deering only wanted the finest home features and appliances to impress his guests. For example, the main houses’ kitchen, which is located on the second floor, is equipped with one of the earliest “ice boxes” which today would be considered a refrigerator. The kitchen also features a dumbwaiter which functions as a food elevator. He commissioned some of the most prominent artists around the world to create works for his villa including statues and murals located throughout the property. Lastly, he made sure to have one of the first in-home electric telephones that was held in its own private room.
As previously mentioned, the recurring theme of the property pays tribute to the location of the villa, that is, Miami, Florida. Miami is known for its parties and entertainment and Mr. Deering really incorporated that into the landscape and architecture of the villa. For example, the property features a beautiful pool grotto and a music room. The stunning garden in the back also features a section where there is a maze and a small theatre that was used for entertainment. Lastly, towards the back of the garden, atop the garden mound sits the casino, or “little house”, which was used for parties.
South Beach as Text
Photos taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
“Toaster Ovens and Rocket Ships”
by Ashley Sanchez of FIU at South Beach, 3 November, 2021
Miami’s Art Deco History District is one of Miami’s most visited locations by tourists all over the world. This famed district which runs alongside the beach is home to several restaurants, boutiques, hotels, and night clubs. The streets are lined with iconic buildings that have incredible and unique architectural designs some of which include the Versace Mansion, The Clevelander, and News Café. The buildings located on Miami Beach along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue, will transport you back to the retro era with their bright pastel colors and neon lights-not to mention, if you look hard enough, they look like toaster ovens and rocket ships. Although we walked the streets of this beautiful area in the morning when it was less crowded, you can still feel the sense of high energy and good spirits from the individuals walking or biking past us blasting their feel-good music. No matter the time of day, this district epitomizes Miami’s lifestyle which is one of its most attractive features.
The history of South Beach is not as lively and welcoming as the ambiance of this district, however. Although it is not commonly talked about or even mentioned, its important to mention how the origins of what we now call South Beach should be attributed to the Bahamians who built it. These African American individuals were treated like they were barely human beings only because of the color of their skin. The way that they were dehumanized and segregated was something that was unfortunately very common at the time. Over the years, South Beach has actually transformed itself into a place where individuality and differences are celebrated. I wish that this was the case back then when those individuals were treated unjustly, but, that goes to show how much we have grown as a society and we have been able to look past our physical differences.
The Deering Estate as Text
Photo by Professor John Bailly // CC by 4.0
“Put on Your Water Shoes”
by Ashley Sanchez of FIU at The Deering Estate, 17 November, 2021
This past week we were transported back in time—back to the 1800’s, 1900’s and as far back as the 1400’s. The Deering Estate is home to one of the richest and extensive history in all of Miami that dates back as far as 10,000 years ago. Not only were we transported to another era, my classmates and I kept mentioning how we felt almost as if we had used a teleport to travel to another part of the world. We were no longer in the Miami we knew for its beaches, palm trees, and night life. It was interesting and ironic, though, because as we walked through the Deering Estate Nature Preserve, you could see houses a few miles away and hear the busy streets nearby.
The Deering Estate is located in the Village of Palmetto Bay and is on the shores of Biscayne Bay. This place was already familiar to my classmates and I since we visited the Deering Estate when we did the Chicken Key Cleanup. However, we had no idea back then that we would come back and experience the Estate in a totally different way. The Richmond Cottage, which is located in the grounds of the Estate, was the home where S. H. Richmond and his family lived and a few years later, it was transformed to one of the first inns in Miami. Individuals who worked on Flagler’s railroad would stay there. Soon after, Charles Deering purchased the property to use as a winter home.
It was incredible to be transported back in time to the Prohibition Era and walk into the hidden wine cellar Mr. Deering kept hidden. From the front porch of the Stone House, you can get a clear view of the Boat Basin that has a bitter history. The Boat Basin was built by Afro-Bahamians who lost their lives building it in a tragic accident that occurred in 1916. As they were drilling the rock, dynamite exploded beneath them killing 4 and severely injuring 5. Although this was a disheartening accident, there is no plaque or remembrance of any kind on behalf of the Afro-Bahamian workers who lost their lives. This is the sad truth in many cases throughout Miami where Afro-Bahamians are not given credit or even mentioned at all for the immense work they did to build this city.
Lastly, my favorite part of the day was when Professor Bailly said, “Put on your water shoes”. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it definitely was not to be walking in waist-deep water slough slogging. We got to walk through the mangroves while trying not to trip over the branches or twist an ankle with the many holes. It was exciting to experience this and we even got to see a plane (called the Cocaine Cowboys Plane) that crashed into the mangroves in the 1990’s.
Again, I was taken back when I realized that I have been living in Miami all my life and I had never known that I was just minutes away from one of the coolest archeological preserves Miami has to offer. I have come to the conclusion that this is a recurring theme with this class and I’m eager to see what else Miami has to offer and surprise me with.
The Rubell Museum as Text
Photos taken by Ashley Sanchez // CC by 4.0
“Contemporary Art: pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms and redefining what art is”
by Ashley Sanchez of FIU at The Rubbell Museum, 24 November, 2021
The Rubell Museum is an art museum located in Miami, Florida in the Allapattah neighborhood. The museum is home to a wide range of contemporary art pieces from artists all around the world. The museum was started by Don and Mera Rubell and their son, Jason Rubell, recently joined the team. The public museum opened its doors fairly recently on December 4th, 2019. The museum features 53,000-square-feet of galleries, with 65% dedicated to long-term installations and 35% to special exhibitions (About Rubell Museum).
Thanks to The Rubell Museum staff, my classmates and I had the special privilege of visiting three of Yayoi Kusama’s interactive installations. All three installations provide the viewer with a transformative experience and allow them to view art from a totally different perspective. The first installation that is accessible to the museum’s guests at no extra charge is the Narcissus Garden. This installation is composed of 700 stainless steel spheres that create a route for museum guests to travel through the main entrance of the museum. The second installation we visited is called Infinity Mirrored Room—Let’s Survive Forever. Only one guest at a time is allowed to experience the room that is filled with more stainless steel spheres and mirrored walls. I felt like I was in a house of mirrors, the traditional attraction at carnivals, yet, this time I wasn’t looking for the way out. On the contrary, I wanted to stay in the interactive art room for as long as possible, enjoying the moment. Lastly, we visited Kusama’s last installation in the museum named Where the Lights in My Heart Go. This room also only allowed one guest at a time and was completely dark except for little lights that resembled a starry night sky. The mirrored walls in this installation also created an illusion that there were an infinity amount of mirrors all throughout the room (Yayoi Kusama).
One artist I found particularly interesting was Jeff Koons. Over the years, Koons has been able to be recognized as a successful artist in the contemporary art world. His work has brought about criticism and controversy because of their uniqueness and obscurity. My personal favorite of his works is the piece called New Hoover Convertible. Koons transformed an ordinary household appliance into a work of art exhibited in a world-renowned museum. The New Hoover Convertible consists of an out-dated vacuum cleaner in an illuminated plexiglass. That’s it. Yet, it makes the viewer recognize that: 1) anything can be considered “art” and, 2) sometime in the future, people will see that vacuum cleaner and think it’s an interesting artwork of the past—just like we thought that of the Tequesta tools.
What qualifies as “art”? Is there a standard to what is beautiful? Who establishes what can and cannot be considered “art”? How can Leonardo de Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night be compared to the artworks that are considered “masterpieces” today in the contemporary art world? All these questions rushed through my mind as I walked through the many different exhibits The Rubell Museum has to offer. The museum made me realize, like Professor Bailly said, that if anyone ever criticizes contemporary art for not qualifying as “art” because “Anyone could have done that”, the response they should receive is that “But, they didn’t”.
“Living an Art Major’s Life in a STEM Major’s World”
by Ashley Sanchez of FIU at Untitled Art Miami, 01 December, 2021
Untitled Art is an incredible innovative art experience from the minute you set foot on the sandy sidewalks that border Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, Florida. If you have a passion for contemporary art, this is the perfect event to visit. Coming from a STEM major who is not well-versed in the history and culture of the art world, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the experience and learned so much about this new modern-day art genre.
Untitled Art was founded almost 10 years ago by Jeff Lawson and is comprised of over 145 international contemporary galleries. “The fair connects the best of contemporary art, live events, artist performances and other activations to keep more than 40,000 attendees captive and entertained during Miami Art Week” (Untitled Art). Untitled Art is only one of the many satellite fairs that are considered to be part of “Art Basel Miami 2021”. Art Basel is an annual event that is hosted in 3 different locations around the world: Switzerland, Miami, and Hong Kong. The major event attracts individuals from all over the world and “…brings the international art world together” (Art Basel).
Contemporary art is unlike any other since it really challenges any conceptualization of the meaning of “art”. In my opinion, it’s the best type of art since it gives the art world a refreshing, 20th/21st century taste. That being said, there were two art pieces that caught my attention throughout the art fair.
Camilo Restrepo: The Other Names is one of the first artworks that guests get to see from the entrance. Camilo does an incredible job of using the large white space to display his creative artwork in a way that draws museum goers to his piece. At first glance, anyone would be inclined to believe that all 500+ paintings came directly out of a children’s book because Camilo “…combined and modified Google images along with common knowledge and myth, creating a vast array of the avatars of Columbia’s pop-culture criminal underworld”(Galleries Now). The creativity and story behind his artwork is unimaginable making it clear that the paintings are not simply illustrations from children’s books. Each painting is a portrait drawing of narcos, blackmailers, hitmen, etc. who were all mentioned by their “other names” in Colombia’s largest newspaper (Galleries Now).
Juan Pablo Echeverri is another Colombian artist whose artwork really caught my attention, specifically, his Miss Fotojapón piece. Although this artwork is also around the entrance of the art fair, it did not catch my attention until I was walking back towards the exit. As I was admiring this artwork, I was asking myself the meaning behind it. At first glance, you would think that he simply combined passport pictures of different people and compiled them together. However, as you look closer, you can see that all the pictures are of the same person. My curiosity propelled me to research the meaning behind his artwork and I later found out that he created the piece to resemble stereotypes and how individuals are judged based solely on their appearance. Each picture is a passport picture taken of Juan Pablo for the past 16 years dressed as somebody different each time (Artsy).
As I reflect on the amazing experiences I have had thus-far this semester-thanks to the Honors College and Professor Bailly-I have come to realize how important it is for students to get out of their comfort zones and educate themselves on topics that aren’t necessarily major-specific. That’s a huge benefit the Honors College has to offer. It allows us to grow into well-rounded individuals that are ready to educate others and make a difference, not only in our career paths, but in almost all aspects of life.
by Ashley Sanchez of FIU at Florida Everglades, 19 January, 2022
The Florida Everglades is just one of Miami’s beautiful natural treasures that we, especially as South Floridians, should take full advantage of. “It protects an unparalleled landscape that provides important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther” Everglades National Park. We were privileged enough to experience the National Park in the most immersive way possible, which is, by slough slogging. We were lucky to encounter a snake, crocodile, wood storks, and fish (who were exceptionally fond of Professor Bailly).
Before we entered into the cypress dome and submerged ourselves into the ice cold Everglades freshwater, Professor Bailly mentioned how a Jesuit priest friend of his told him that he would someday like to visit Miami in order to experience God’s creation in its purest form (referring to the Florida Everglades). Being that the land beneath our feet where we were slough slogging through had never been altered by mankind, made me realize just how perfect the world was made for all of its inhabitants. Everything plays an important role, from the periphyton growing on plants that help filter the freshwater and provide shelter for small insects to the natural resource of freshwater that flows through the Everglades and supplies drinking water to all of Miami-Dade County.
The strong winds that made their way through the cypress trees as we stood beneath them did not stand a chance against the massive roots that gave the cypress trees the foundation they needed to withstand the impact. The trees are “…valuable to wildlife for food and cover” and “…grow in an elongate, linear shape, parallel with the flow of water” National Park Service. Collectively, the trees form a cypress dome with most of the taller trees growing towards the middle and the shorter ones growing towards the perimeter.
I started off the new year by using a word of the year generator to see what word I would get. I have been trying to keep this tradition for a few years now and use the word to serve as a mental mentor for the year. The word I got was “breathe”. We are now 19 days into the first month of the year and I have already seen how this word has been incorporated into my life on a few occasions, one of them being this class. Although one might be thinking how this story about my word of the year correlates to my experience in the Everglades, I promise, it will all make sense.
Coming from someone who is always trying to be productive, my word for this year has served as a reminder that I deserve to pause, take a few minutes—or in this case, one minute—and just breathe. The transition from slough slogging inside the dome to admiring the dome’s beauty from outside of it left me in awe. The class and I were asked to silent our minds and enjoy 1 minute of nature’s pure beauty and sounds. With every breath, I was able to realize that we have the ability to experience God’s creation at its most raw form right in our backyard, yet, we don’t take advantage of it as much as we should. People around the world, like the Jesuit priest, may never come to experience the Everglades and everything it has to offer, so I came to realize how privileged I was in that moment that before me stood the “Largest subtropical wilderness in the United States” Everglades National Park.
Works Cited
U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Everglades National Park (U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service. Retrieved January 19, 2022, from https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
by Ashley Sanchez of FIU at Coral Gables, 26 January, 2022
It was such a privilege to be able to tour Coral Gables, a city located southwest of Downtown Miami. Although I have lived a couple streets down from the city of Coral Gables all of my life, the class surprised me, once again, with the immense history and attractions within the city that I did not know existed. As a class, we got the chance to walk around Giralda Plaza, the Biltmore Hotel, the Coral Gables Museum, the Collonade Building, Miracle Mile, and Coral Gables City Hall. An interesting fun fact that I would not have known had it not been for this class is that the city of Coral Gables actually has its own flag!
George Merrick is responsible for the idea and development of the city. He grew up in a simple family of farmers, yet, his dreams and visions were anything but simple. He knew what he wanted from the time he was selling fruit and made that dream a reality by developing the city of Coral Gables with his own stylish twist—Mediterranean Revival style architecture influenced by Spanish cities. It’s impressive that the city was primarily built around the time of the Depression and it was also constructed upon oolitic limestone, which is very difficult to construct over. Although oftentimes Merrick is given all the credit for the development of the city, the hard work the Bahamians put into building the city is oftentimes overlooked—even though their immense efforts should be commemorated since they dealt with intense racial segregation at the time.
The Coral Gables Museum was once a police and fire station which is interesting in and of itself since today, the two professions have completely separate stations. Although the building was converted into a museum, it’s original structure, for the most part, has been preserved. The three garage entrances on the west facade of the building were once used as doors for the firetrucks to enter and leave through and can still be found there today and the lobby to the museum was what used to be the lobby for the police/fire station.
The Biltmore Hotel was our last stop for the day. If you want to feel like royalty for the day, visiting the Biltmore is a must. The grandiose entrance to the hotel is very impressive and the high ceilings with colorful, elegant patterns seems to fit the royalty theme perfectly. At the time the hotel was built, it had the largest pool in all of the United States and it is still used today as the venue for a variety of lavish events. However, the building’s history hasn’t always been lavish since it was also used as an Army general hospital during WWII. As I was staring up into the blue ceiling patterned with gold stars, it was hard to imagine that those same walls once housed a staff of medical personnels and their injured army patients.
The city of Coral Gables is such a beautiful, romantic city. Whether you’re driving, walking, biking, or even scootering around the streets of “the Gables”, it’s hard to not be in awe of the immense history and attractions it has to offer. The almost uniform architecture that can be seen throughout the city is hard to get tired of and the city has so much to offer and experience. Some of which include; Spanish moss curtains overlooking the streets, mansions, hotels, parks, boutiques, public swimming pool, and museums. As George Merrick said to his salesmen, “Remember that what you are selling here is not just land. It is not just a piece of ground on which to put a house. What you are really selling is romance, the stars, the moon, the tropics, the wind off the blue water and the perfume of flowers that never grew in northern climes” (Bailly & Sepulveda, 2021)
by Ashley Sanchez of FIU at the Everglades, 16 February, 2022
There is no place on earth like the Florida Everglades and it gets proven to me time and time again as I get these chances to revisit the incredible national park located in South Florida. Among other things, the things that make the Everglades one of the coolest places in the world is that it’s the only place where both crocodiles and alligators live, you can find a rotting crashed plane in the middle of nowhere, the property was previously used by farmers as agricultural land, you can find a missile base that was used during the Cold War, and it is the only place in the world that you can experience “slough slogging”.
Although this trip to the Everglades was not my first, each time I have been, I have gotten a totally different experience out of it. This week my class and I got to experience the Everglades in a way that many individuals who have visited the national park have never been able to. We got the chance to experience the thrill of taking off-trail hikes and encountering places that the public barely knows about. We got an insider’s view of everything the Everglades really has to offer. We got to do some more slough slogging, but, this time around, the water reached up to my waist and I could not see anything beneath me as I trudged along trying to avoid getting my foot stuck in a hole. Like I have written in my biography, however, I’m always up for an adventure and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
The first off-trail hike was short and while we were walking through the main trail, I was eager to find out where it would lead us to, but, little did I know that the trail we were walking on that seemed to just be an ordinary trail was actually not where we were going to end up walking through. We were taking a mini off-trail hike to a destination where almost no one had ever been before. The off-trail hike led us to a house in the middle of the national park that used to be somebody’s home. I can’t even imagine being so fully submersed into nature like that.
Another stop in this week’s lecture was the Nike Missile Base. Although it is not an active missile base today, this historic site was built to protect against a possible air attack from Cuba. As we toured the inside of the barns where the missiles were kept, it was interesting to look around at the dated equipment that was used at the time and the cereal boxes that were being sold with missile advertisements. It was especially interesting to me to learn about the Cuban Missile Crisis since I come from a Cuban-American family. I can’t even imagine what life would have been like while the world waited, on the brink of a possible nuclear war. Fortunately for us, the crisis ended and the United States was untouched by any of the Soviets’ missiles stationed in Cuba that could have easily created a lot of damage (“Cuban Missile Crisis”, n.d.).
by Ashley Sanchez of FIU at Wynwood, 23 February, 2022
The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse is located in the Wynwood Arts District of Miami. The collection features different contemporary visual arts exhibitions which transport the viewer into a different space both emotionally and physically. It’s no ordinary museum, that’s for sure. I was definitely not expecting the size of the works on display—some of which you had to walk around or completely immerse yourself into them to be able to see the work as a whole. Martin Margulies, as a collector, has a keen eye for acquiring works that lure viewers and make them look at art from a totally different perspective. Like the professor says, you don’t have to like it or understand it, but it still doesn’t deny the fact that it is art.
Man Climbing the Ladder is one of the first works that caught my attention. Michelangelo Pistoletto made the piece with the intentions of going beyond “bringing art to life”, instead, he wanted to bring art into life. And that is exactly what he achieved. In the work, you can see yourself on the reflection of the pseudo mirror. It lures you into a metaphorical space so that, in a sense, you become part of the work itself. This kind of work, when compared to medieval or religious art, serves a different purpose. Medieval or religious art serves the purpose of prompting the viewer to experience something outside of the work. For example, a painting or sculpture of a cross will prompt the viewer to reflect on the suffering Christ endured while on the cross from an outsider’s perspective. Therefore, the new form of contemporary art displayed at the Margulies collection gives a refreshing twist on the viewer-artwork dynamic or relationship.
Another piece that caught my attention was the Die Erdzeitalter. Not only was it intriguing because of its grandeur and its 3 dimensional appearance, it had a powerful meaning behind it that completely took me by surprise. The artwork consists of a pile of unfinished canvas paintings which are stacked one on top of each other. The stacked paintings are a collection of the work that the artist started, but that were not completed since he was not satisfied with them. The sculpture also contains sunflower buds that peek through the gaps left by the canvases, each bending down towards the bottom of the sculpture. I stood there, staring at the enormous 17-foot high sculpture, trying to wrap my head around so many different questions I had such as, “How did this even get in here?”, “Does this have a hidden meaning behind it?”, “What is the significance of the sunflower buds?”. The sunflower buds are all pointing towards the bottom of the stack because they are meant to represent how there will always be room for new growth. Although to the artist the paintings were considered to be “failures”, the first step to success is to acknowledge those failures and work through them to see what you did wrong. The meaning behind the sculpture is perfectly exemplified since the sculpture is now showcased in a museum, and not just any museum, one of the world’s greatest collectors’ museums for contemporary art.
All in all, Mr. Marguilles does a fascinating job at choosing art pieces that will foster a relationship between life and art. The museum has a wide variety of pieces that somehow all come together since they all share something in common: they lure the viewer into the artwork itself so that they are immersed within it. From a mattress with a light up sign generated by a refrigerator motor to an array of hanging drapes that carry different sacks of herbs within them, this museum will allow you to experience art in a way you probably never have before. Therefore, the Margulies Collection acts like an art lover’s playground.
Key Biscayne as Text
Pictures taken by Ashley Sanchez & Oscar Roa // CC by 4.0
“U.S. History: a Thread of Biased Opinions”
by Ashley Sanchez of FIU at Key Biscayne, 16 March, 2022
Throughout the course of this class, we have been able to visit the different Miami locations where the Tequestas, Miam’s first human inhabitants, settled in. The very land we have the privilege to stand on today, was the same land the Tequestas camped on, hunted on, and lived in for centuries. Thankfully, however, when we visit Key Biscayne today, we no longer have to endure the pain of vexatious mosquitos nor do we have to rely solely on being able to catch fish to stay alive.
I found it interesting when I made the connection during this past class lecture that the education system in the United States focuses on a single-perspective or set narrative which overlooks the fact that history cannot be looked at from one biased angle. At the end of the day, historic individuals may have lived through the same historic events, yet, narrated it differently which goes to show the plurality of histories. As for me, I never thought to question what was being taught to me in grade school about the United State’s history. I did not think to question why I was only learning about the enormous impacts white men “single-handedly” made during early American history. This is in part because we have been taught to see history from the eyes of the British who overlooked or gave little importance to important historical events—further emphasizing the fact that as students, we are often misled. With that being said, I had never learned about the Southern Underground Railroad. The Southern Underground Railroad allowed thousands of slaves and Black Seminoles to escape Florida which had become a slave state after being sold to the United States by Spain (Tatro, 2021).
The Cape Florida Lighthouse that still stands today, that is, the reconstructed version of it, has a rich history with an incredible story. The lighthouse was built in 1825 within Key Biscayne in order to block the escape route of the Southern Underground Railroad. The location of Key Biscayne served as a perfect location to flee the state since it was close to other countries that could have been havens for fugitive slaves. Not long after the construction of the lighthouse, the Seminole Indians attacked it in 1836 because they were being massacred all over the South. There were two men, an assistant keeper and a slave, left in charge of the lighthouse who fought the Seminoles. They ran into the lighthouse to try to protect themselves, but eventually the Seminoles lit the lighthouse on fire making it hard for them to keep fighting back. The slave man was almost instantly killed, so the other used his body as a human shield as he retreated to the top of the lighthouse. He then threw a keg of gunpowder hoping that it would suppress the fire and it worked. The Seminoles retreated thinking both men were dead and the assistant keeper who survived lived to say his story (“Seminoles Attack Cape Florida Lighthouse”, 2019).
The story of this historic event is portrayed from the perspective that the Seminole Indians were a group of vehement and vicious men who attacked the lighthouse with no underlining reason to do so. However, the attack was purposely executed to prevent themselves from being permanently exterminated or pushed out of their own land. The park even displays an information table with a poorly drawn depiction of what the event might have looked like—portraying the Seminole Indians as an animal group of men ruthlessly burning down the lighthouse and victimizing the Americans who fought against them. This is jut another portrayal of the vicious cycle of ignorance that is produced by the bias history that is taught to us since elementary.
Today, Key Biscayne is known as a wealthy village with its beaches ranking one of the top beaches nationwide. Bills Baggs State Park is just one of the spectacular and unique spots Key Biscayne has to offer. Some of the experiences the park has to offer to its visitors are: bicycle rentals, paddling, fishing, picnicking, swimming, lighthouse tours, paddle boarding, and wildlife viewing. Some amenities include: the Lighthouse Cafe, Boater’s Grill, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, kayak rentals, beach wheelchairs, and hydro bike rentals. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Beach offers a different experience to its visitors when compared to other Miami beaches. This beach offers a more tranquil environment with its breathtaking, crystalline water making it extra tempting for the park’s visitors to get in 365 days a year (“Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park”, 2019).
by Ashley Sanchez of FIU at Coconut Grove, 30 March, 2022
Coconut Grove has an extremely rich history that goes way back. Some of its history deserves to be celebrated, while other parts of it don’t—yet, those events still happened, therefore, they deserve to be recognized. Coconut Grove, or “the Grove”, is 10 minutes south of downtown Miami and it is Miami’s oldest neighborhood. The city has a lot to offer; over the years, the city has developed into a thriving hotspot for both locals and tourists to shop, dine, and enjoy the marinas.
Coconut Grove became part of the City of Miami in 1985. The Bahamians were the city’s first inhabitants and together, they created the oldest Black community in Dade county. Although the racial segregation at the time was intense, the Bahamians were able to create a symbiotic relationship with the northern settlers that were there. When life gave them lemons, they definitely made lemonade. The Bahamians made the community of Coconut Grove thrive by building homes, cemeteries, a library, a community center, and churches—this way, they could stay separate from the White communities while still being able to build a great community that had everything they needed.
Mariah Brown was a Bahamian woman who was a single mother of three children. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1880 to give her children a chance at a better life. Although she was a person of color in the 1880’s, she had big dreams and did not let gender inequalities stop her. She worked at the Peacock Inn when she arrived at Coconut Grove from the Bahamas where she was able to raise enough money to purchase her own plot of land in order to build a home for her and her daughters. This was a huge sign of woman empowerment; not only was she a woman, she was a Black woman who became a landowner. Mariah Brown and E.W.F. Stirrup were among the first African-Bahamian families that built the foundation to the Black community that later settled in the city. E.W.F. Stirrup immigrated to the city a few years after Brown and was extremely vital to the city’s history since he built most of the first homes for African-Bahamian immigrants like himself in Coconut Grove.
Today, the community is still very much alive. Although gentrification has taken over many properties, it has not completely erased the city’s history. Walking through Charles’ Avenue, you can still see preserved conch houses that serve historical importance such as the E.W.F. Stirrup house and the Mariah Brown house. This is what made the Bahamians feel like home. That is why Flora, a volunteer for the Christ Episcopal Church in Coconut Grove, continues to drive 50 minutes every day from her new home in Homestead to the church. Because although gentrification drove her and other families that once lived in the city away, that church belongs to what she still calls home: Coconut Grove. The Bahamians were able to love their country not for its reality, but for its aspirations.
Miami in Miami 