Student bio

Daniela is a Junior at Florida International University Honor College. Daniela was born and raised in Havana, Cuba and came to Miami when she was 15 years old. Having spent most of her life as a flamenco dancer, Daniela is really passionate about the influence Spain has in the American culture in general. She is currently majoring in Psychology and once she finishes her bachelors degree, she would like to further her studies and pursue a Masters in Science in Professional Counseling.

Who

On April 20, 2022, I volunteered at The Deering Estate, a cultural asset in Palmetto Bay, Florida, and a historic place listed on the National Register of Historic Places. dating back to the 1920s when Charles Deering decided to invest in a property down in the South Florida area. This place’s mission is to conserve the natural area on its property and restore it, as it is a top museum for touristic destinations nowadays.

why

The opportunity of volunteering at Deering Estate is given every year to FIU Honors Students by professor John Bailly as part of his classes. Yearlong, some pure theoric classes take place at Deering Estate, yet others are full-service classes as was the case for this opportunity.

This activity itself does not relate to my major. However, ever since COVID started, being able to give back to the community is something that catches my attention, as I used to overlook it before. It opened my eyes, and make me especially interested in this type of activity. With it, I get to clean a part of Miami that almost nobody knew about and had been forgotten by those who knew about it but did not have the time to go clean it up.

how

The different bridges and paths at Deering Estate never stop to amaze me. Seeing the remains of this bridge makes me think of how beautiful it could have been before hurricane Irma passed through Miami, and to see how much trash ends here is devastating. Animals are living in this ecosystem, and mistakenly they might eat some of this human debris. Even a bottle from Havana was found during this clean-up. Completely disappointing in humans.

It is always fun having both Miami in Miami classes together and being able to connect with other people while cleaning up. But most definitely the highlight of my day is going further than the rest of the class trying to reach the end of the bridge.

where & what

To start the last day of the Spring 2022 semester, professor John Bailly got both of his Miami in Miami classes together once again at the Deering Estate. There we first sat down and said our last goodbyes and favorite experiences. After this, the fun began.

We went to a bridge, -according to professor Bailly- a beautiful bridge during its good old times. After hurricane Irma took Miami land, it got destroyed and has not been restored ever since. Because humans are the most dangerous species, their trash ends up here. The bridge might have collapsed, yet there are still animals there, and they eat the trash or get stuck on them, and unfortunately end up dying. This is the reason why this clean-up was so important.

We had to be extremely careful while walking between the bridge remains, as there were nails still coming out of the woods, or the surface was not the most reliable one. I am not a big fan of getting wet or dirty, so at first, I was a little skeptical as to where we were going. After getting scared by at least 20 spiders, and putting my feet on surfaces I would not know how to describe, but most certainly not satisfying, I found myself in a group of four girls without even noticing. Four girls with the same objective: trying to get to the end of the bridge. It was like a survival game in my eyes. Trying not to get wet and holding onto the remains of the bridge, all while trying not to disturb the spiders.

When we stopped hearing people is when the decision of going back took place, we decided to keep going, with the hopes we would reach the end. We got worried a little after and we decided to reach out to see if we were anywhere close to the end, but to our disappointment, the bridge did not have an end. The way back was easier, as we already know where to step.

On our adventure, we were able to fill up to five bags. That is a lot of debris in such a small path! To our surprise when we got back to the Deering Estate yard, everyone in the class was already packing up to leave for their houses. It was a rewarding experience being able to connect with people outside the class and taking with us the champion feeling of accomplishment of getting far out the bridge (and terrible pain on my left foot because one of the nails passed through my shoe).

When

Summary

This adventure as the last one for the semester felt like a rewarding one for me. Some things worked out perfectly, while others, did not.

What worked for me was teamwork. Even though we were not from the same class, we worked as if we had known each other for the longest time. I think this activity I would not have been able to complete it without the girls I found along the way. For example, trying not to step on water and holding onto the bridge was easier because we had each others telling us where to step and which way was the easier one. Also, having five bags with us, was easier to have help from one another to cross to the front.

What did not work was the spiders and spider webs. They were everywhere, and they were big and intimidating. Another thing that did not work was the nails on the ground. They were everywhere too and we had to be aware of nails and spiders and not leave the trash behind.

Overall, it was a great way to say goodbye to the semester and goodbye to professor Bailly.

STUDENT BIO 

Daniela was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, and came to Miami when she was 15 years old. Having spent most of her life as a flamenco dancer, Daniela is passionate about the influence Spain has on American culture in general. She is currently majoring in Psychology and once she finishes her bachelor’s degree, she would like to further her studies and pursue a Masters in Science in Professional Counseling. 

GEOGRAPHY

According to the U.S Census Bureau, the city of Doral seats a 13.8 square miles area. It has an elevation of 3ft, limiting to the Town of Medley, Hialeah, Miami, West Miami, Fontainebleau, and Tamiami, and is located at 25°49’10″N 80°21’19” W.

In the past ten years, the city of Doral has seen a 32.58% increase, which positions it in the 34th place among the largest cities in Florida and has a population density of 5,839 people per square mile. Its fast growth makes it the perfect place to have restaurants, shopping centers, and a now coming new and luxurious home complex.

HISTORY

The history of the city of Doral dates back to the late 1950s when real estate pioneer Doris and Alfred Kaskel bought 2,400 acres of swampland for about $49,000 intending to open a golf course and a hotel. In 1962, they opened this hotel and golf course and named it “Doral”, combining both names Doris and Alfred. Years later, Donald Trump bought a golf course and changed its name to Trump National Doral Golf Course.

Years after, in the early 1980s, Kaskel’s grandson developed Doral Estates and started to build house communities around the area, naming these communities after the hotel, yet something was missing in the area: they had no grocery stores or schools or parks nearby so the people living there had to travel to get these things. The cost of living there was not ideal for all the services residents needed. It was not until 1996, after the first Community COuncil election that they started to work on different projects addressing the needs of the community.

Finally, in 2003, 85% of Doral voters voted in favor of incorporation, and Doral became a city of its own, with a local government. The relatively new city of Doral is an attractive location for investors interested in the Latin American market, as most of its population is from this region.

Nowadays, the city of Doral is looking at more changes and development than ever. New business areas such as Downtown Doral, City Place Doral, and Midtown Doral are one of the top places to start a business due to their high shopping traffic at any time of the day. Also, new residences are starting to be built which makes Doral the perfect place to invest in a better life right now. Often known as “Doralzuela” due to the large Venezuelan population in the area.

DEMOGRAPHICS

According to the World Population, the City of Doral has a population of 80, 678 people as of 2022, with a median age of 35.8 years. According to the United States Census Bureau, out of its total population, 62, 943 people are of Hispanic or Latino origins. Their employment rate is 65.2%, having a median household income of $75,138, and only a 10.9% poverty rate. The Median gross rent is $2,082 and 46.9% of its population owns a property
88.2% of the population speaks another language than English at home: 81.4% speak Spanish at home, 11.8% speak English at home, 4.9% speak other Indo-European languages at home, 1.6% speak Asian and Pacific Islander languages at home, and .4% speak other languages.

68.5% of its population is born in a foreign country; out of those 45.2% is a naturalized US citizens.

52.9% of its population has a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher and 68% are currently enrolled in a K-12 program.

Out of its population, 181 are American Indian and Alaska Native, 2,324 are Asians, 1,042 are Black or African American, 62,943 are Hispanic or Latino, 13 are Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 7,446 are white alone (not Hispanic or Latino), and 11,690 are of some other race.

INTERVIEW

Roxana is a 18 years old Cuban-American living in the city of Doral

Daniela: Hello Roxana, how are you today?
Roxana: I am doing great. Thank you for asking.
Daniela: Have you lived in Doral your whole life?
Roxana: No, I came here with my parents when I was about 6 years old.
Daniela: What are your ethnic backgrounds?
Roxana: I was born in Cuba.
Daniela: Do you like living in Doral?
Roxana: Yes, I would not change it for any other place in Miami
Daniela: What is your favorite thing about Doral?
Roxana: If I had to choose one thing, it will be the trolly and the freebies. They are a huge help to getting around the city, especially during rush hours, besides saving on gas and parking.
Daniela: Any favorite place in here?
Roxana: Doral CityPlace. It is the perfect place to go out, and have a fun night or a great time in general.
Daniela: Thank you, Roxana.
Roxana: You are very welcome.

LANDMARKS

City Place Doral (8300 NW 36th St, Doral, FL, 33188)

This place in Doral is a one-stop destination for anyone visiting the zone. It has everything ranging from shopping centers to restaurants, to art galleries. Among the most interesting restaurants we can find Tap 42, and Novecento, both highly ranked by the community. Everywhere you walk to Doral City Place you can find live music playing and the beautiful view of the fountain from every corner you stand at. This place has accommodations for everyone in the family even having an Improv Comedy Center in one of its spaces.

It offers free parking for up to 2 hours from Monday through Thursday, which makes it enjoyable for people who are coming to have a nice lunch or dinner on the weekdays.

For more information, email info@cityplacedoral.com

Downtown Doral: (8551 NW 53rd, Doral, FL, 33166)

Downton Doral offers vasts places to visit either for the culture of the zone, commerce, offices, schools, restaurants, home, or retail shops. One of the schools in the area, Downtown Doral Charter Upper School now offers an International Baccalaureate Program. The newly designed downtown offers walkable and green spaces. The place also offers live concerts. Mainly all the areas are pet friendly. Plans include a Public library and a Cultural Arts Pavilion.

To stay up to date with the events in Downtown Doral, they suggest subscribing to their newsletter.

Business hours are subject to the business.

Trump International Doral (4400 NW 87th Ave, Miami, FL 33178)

Opened in the 1960s, the 800 acres resort is now one of the biggest landmarks in Doral. Originally costing $10 million, Donald Trump bought the resort in February 2012 for $150 million. In May 2019, reports suggested a financial decline of 69% in the hotel’s income. One night reservation costs about $300-$400. It features four golf courses, and it has been featured as Top 100 resort to stay and play.

GREEN

Downtown Doral Park (8395 NW 53rd St, Doral, FL, 33166)

Finalized in 2012, the Downtown Doral Park is located adjacent to Doral Government Center and encompasses 3 acres of land. Opened every day from 7:00 AM to sunset, this park includes a children’s playground and picnic tables, which makes it perfect for a Sunday afternoon with the family. It also offers a walking/jogging path and a large open lawn for those people who decide to work out or go walk their dogs. The location at the heart of the Downtown Doral area makes the perfect combination between modernism and the familiar environment that the city of Doral has to offer.

More information can be found at doralparksinfo@cityofdoral.com

Doral Central Park (3000 NW 87th Ave)

Ranking as the largest park in the city of Doral, this park is home to major events celebrated around the area. Located at the heart of Doral, this park is adjacent to Carnival Cruise Lines’ headquarters. The 82-acre park includes a .9-mile walking/jogging trail for those who would like to work out as well as picnic benches that can be rented at their office. The park opens Monday-Friday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Saturday and Sundays from 7:00 AM to sunset.

CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR RENOVATION

TRANSPORTATION

Freebee

The City of Doral offers Free Door-to-Door, on-demand transportation services. These freebees are 100% electronic and while you are on the ride, they will share the latest news about Doral. It can accommodate the whole family.

Trolley

The free service of the Doral Trolley has 4 routes: to shopping centers, restaurants, parks, and Metrorail and a connector with Florida International University. The only route operating on Sundays is route 1 which connects crosstown. It offers a real-time tracker with information about all the routes available.

FOOD

La Uchirena (7880 NW 52nd St, Doral, FL 33166)

Open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM and on Sundays from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, this place in Doral takes its name from Boca de Uchire, a tourist destination in Estado Anzoategui, in Venezuela. This place’s mission is to make its guests feel as if they just walked into the Caribe. Their menu can range anywhere from traditional sandwiches to dessert to lunch to breakfast. The perfect place to reminisce about Venezuela or to travel without needing a passport or plane ticket.

Bulla Gastrobar (5335 NW 87 AVE, #C102, Doral, FL, 33166)

Originally opening its doors in Coral Gables, the second restaurant location is in Downtown Doral. They focus on Spanish Cuisine, and their artisanal style is what makes them popular in the area. Their distinguished menu offers food to delight their customers from brunch to dinner to lunch. Open Monday and Tuesdays from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, Wednesday through Saturday from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM, and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, this is the perfect place to enjoy a good Spanish-style menu.
Reservation is required

Divieto Ristorante (10650 NW 41st ST, Doral, FL, 33178)

The name itself makes this place unique within the variety of restaurants in Doral. Italian for “prohibition”, this restaurant mixes the Italian flavors and the American touch in a modern 1920s New York scenery in the center of Doral. This place offers a little over 70 dishes and a wide Italian and American wine collection to choose from at the bar. Everyone coming to this place will have something to try because of all these dishes, ranging from Pizza to gourmet food. Open from Monday through Wednesday from 11 AM to 10 PM, Thursday and Sunday from 11 AM to 11 PM and Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 12 AM, this will be the perfect place to come with friends or family.

BUSINESSES

Ballet Boutique (5335 NW 87th AVE, Doral FL, 33178)

Distinguished for its personalized customer service, Ballet Boutique brings dancewear for Ballet, Jazz, HipHop, and many more dancers throughout the city of Doral or Miami in general. This boutique has something very special, its shoe-fitting, to make sure every experience fulfills the customers’ expectations. They have a newsletter to which people can subscribe to be aware of the latest news and discounts. Opens from Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM, and closed on Sundays, this special place will make sure to give each customer an unforgettable experience.

Blos Roses (8550 NW 53rd St, Suite B103, Doral, FL, 33166)

Blos Roses is that place that every girl will dream of while growing up. They claim to give you a manicure, a pedicure, and a blow-dry, all combined in less than 60 minutes. The perfect place for those moms that only have one hour of spare to dedicate to themselves. Closed on Mondays and open from Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM, on Saturdays from 9 AM to 7 PM, and on Sundays from 9 AM to 4 PM, this place has even been featured in the Miami New Times and has been awarded as the salon of the year on 2020.

TG Bridal (8550 NW 53rd St, Doral, FL 33166)

Ever since I passed by this place, this European boutique-style caught my attention at an extraordinary level. This place has the most beautiful bride dresses I have seen in Miami. The aspect I liked the most about it, is that they have options for every person, no matter the size or style the customer requests. Not only for the bride but also for the court and the bride’s accessories. Open from Monday through Saturday from 1 PM to 7 PM this place makes sure your day is as special as you ever dreamt off.

SUMMARY

Despite its relatively young age, the city of Doral is one of the most fascinating throughout Miami Dade County. The mix of ethnicities and its developments makes this city one of the preferable ones to live in. The beautiful parks and the free transportation are something every city should have as it creates an atmosphere where neighbors get to share their afternoons.

WORKS CITED

About blos·roses. Blos·Roses. (2020, October 2). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://blosroses.com/about/

About Doral. About  · City of Doral. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.cityofdoral.com/about/

About Us. DIVIETO RISTORANTE. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.divietoristorante.com/about-us

All about Doral Miami. MiamiandBeaches.com. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/neighborhoods/doral

Ballet Boutique – Miami’s leading Dance Apparel & Accessories store. Ballet Boutique Miami. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://theballetboutique.com/

Doral Central Park. Doral Central Park  · City of Doral. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.cityofdoral.com/all-departments/parks-and-recreation/facilities-and-rentals/doral-central-park/

Doral Miami-Dade County, Florida. Doral, FL – Geographic Facts & Maps – MapSof.net. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.mapsof.net/doral

Doral Trolley. Doral Trolley  · City of Doral. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.cityofdoral.com/all-departments/public-works/doral-trolley/

Doral. Bulla Gastrobar. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://bullagastrobar.com/locations/doral/

Downtown Doral Park. Downtown Doral Park  · City of Doral. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.cityofdoral.com/all-departments/parks-and-recreation/facilities-and-rentals/downtown-doral-park/

Freebee in Doral. Freebee in Doral  · City of Doral. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.cityofdoral.com/residents/freebee-in-doral/

Miami Resort & Hotel in Doral – trump hotels. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.trumphotels.com/miami

TG bridal. Downtown Doral. (2020, October 2). Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://downtowndoral.com/directory/tg-bridal/

student bio

Daniela was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, and came to Miami when she was 15 years old. Having spent most of her life as a flamenco dancer, Daniela is passionate about the influence Spain has on American culture in general. She is currently majoring in Psychology and once she finishes her bachelor’s degree, she would like to further her studies and pursue a Masters in Science in Professional Counseling.

Geography

According to the U.S Census Bureau, the city of Cutler Bay has its base on a total area of 12.69 square kilometers (12.43 square kilometers of land and .26 square kilometers of water). It stretches from South Miami through Homestead It has an altitude of 23 ft. Because of being a relatively flat city, it is prone to flooding. Its climate is often described as a tropical savanna climate.

history

Just like throughout Miami, Cutler Bay’s first settlements were the Tequesta. They had settlements all over the Southernmost part of Florida, and Cutler Bay was not the exemption to the rule. This was their land years before Europeans arrived on the continent, and it was until that point that there was settle here, dying of the European diseases and other external factors. After their extinction, the Seminoles went and settle down Florida, primarily Miami and Key West.

In 1838, Dr. Henry Perrine was granted 36 square miles of land with hopes people will settle down and improve the land. This began to attract people down south and small communities were starting to form.

Following Dr. Perrine’s idea, Dr. William Cutler was able to purchase some land with an idea to bring down settlers, but not enough settlers were able to stay, but the ones that did, established a town naming it Cutler in honor of Dr. Cutler. The settlers in Cutler established the first post office in South Miami and created a trail of what is known today as Old Cutler Road.

Despite the challenges of hurricane Andrew in August 1992, the rainfall from Hurricane Katrina resulted in flooding in August 2005, its development led to the Town’s incorporation in 2006.

Interview with Deniska Rodriguez, a current resident:

Daniela: Hello Deniska, thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.

Deniska: Of course, the pleasure is mine.

Daniela: How long have you been living in the Cutler Bay area?

Deniska: I have been living here for about 9 years now since I came from Cuba

Daniela: Oh wow, that is a long time. Do you like living here?

Deniska: Oh, I love it.

Daniela: What is your favorite spot here, a place you would recommend to someone out of the area?

Deniska: Lakes by the Bay Park.

Daniela: I see you like Cutler Bay, however, what would be one thing you would change about it?

Deniksa: What I would change is the transportation. I wish they had electronic scooters as Brickell does.

Daniela: Thank you for taking the time today Deniska, have a great day.

Deniska: You are welcome Daniela. Bye-bye

Demographics

According to the U.S Census Bureau, Cutler Bay’s current population is 45,425 people, with a median age of 37.7. The largest ethnic groups are Hispanics (making up to 55.7% of the population), White-non Hispanics (24.6% of the population, and black or African American (9.75% of the population).

Out of all its population, about 18,000 people (40.8%) were foreign-born population as of 2019, ranking higher than the national average. Their most common origin is Cuba, Haiti, and Colombia.

The median household income for the city of Cutler Bay as of 2019 was $75,101, having a 3.98% growth. However, there is still a 9.33% poverty rate, where females over the age of 75 years old make up for the largest demographic group living in poverty, followed by males between the ages of 55 and 64 years old and then females between the ages of 65 and 74 years old. Ethnically, the largest group living in poverty is white, followed by Hispanics and African Americans.

Landmarks

Southland Mall (20505 South Dixie Highway, Cutler Bay, Florida, 33189)

Formerly known as Cutler Ridge Mall, is a mall that opened in 1978 as an extension of Cutler Ridge Shopping Center, but right after its opening the entire shopping center was named Cutler Ridge Mall. The mall has two anchor stores (JCPenney and Macy’s) and also has a movie theater, and additional worldwide recognized stores such as DSW Shoe Warehouse, Victoria’s Secret, and Old Navy. It also offers a variety of food services from fast food such as Subway, to restaurants like Olive Garden. It also features a full-sized Italian carousel by the movie theater. It opens Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM and Sundays from 12 PM to 6 PM.

South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (10950 SW 211 St, Cutler Bay, Fl, 33189)

South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center opened on October 1st, 2011, and ever since it has played a key role in the development of the Cutler Bay area. It emphasizes educational activities partnering with community groups. It is managed by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. The Center is home to works of art created by Miami’s artist Robert Chambers. The Center offers community accessibility and it has been the home of Cutler Bay Senior High School graduation for the past years.

Cutler Ridge Park (10100 SW 200 st, Cutler Bay, FL, 33189)

Cutler Ridge Park is right next to Cutler Ridge Elementary School. This park has a 25-meter swimming pool, which makes it home for the Riptides Swim and Water Polo teams, lighted athletic fields, which makes it home for the Albion SC Miami. a covered playground, a picnic pavilion and has parking for up to 70 vehicles. Reservations for its facilities can be done online on the town of Cutler Bay website. The Pool is open for the public from 12 PM through 3 Pm from Monday through Friday. There is a daily admission price to the park:

• adults (17 years old to 55 years old): $2
• children (17 years old and younger): $1.50
• senior citizen (55 years old and older): Free
• 10-visit Monthly Pass: $10

The park is open Monday through Sunday from Sunrise to Sunset.

Green

• Franjo Park (20175 Franjo Road, Cutler Bay, Fl, 33157)

Having its most recent reopening in the Summer of 2021, Franko Park had been closed since September 2017 due to Hurricane Irma’s damages. During this time, the park went through a major improvement project. It is the house of Perrine Baseball and Softball Association, as it has three lighted baseball fields. It opens every day from Sunrise to Sunset.

• Lakes by the Bay Park (8551 SW 216 St, Cutler Bay, FL, 33189

One of the largest parks at Cutler Bay, Lakes by the Bay Park, and its 45 acre consists of three lighted baseball fields, two lighted soccer fields, and a .6 mile exercise path. It has parking space for up to 100 vehicles. It also has a Canoe/Kayak launch located north of the parking lot. It opens every day from Sunrise to Sunset.

• Whispering Pines Park (8800 Ridgeland Drive, Cutler Bay, Fl, 33157)

Located in the heart of the Whispering Pines Community, this 1.3-acre park finds its borders next to the Ned Glenn Nature Preserve and the Whispering Pines Elementary School. This park is known for being well shaded and having covered pavilions. Every 4th of July since 1960, this park has been the gathering point for the Whispering Pines community.

• Bel-Aire Park (18500 SW 97 Ave, Cutler Bay, Fl, 33157)
• Blue Heron Park (21900 SW 97 Ave, Cutler Bay, Fl, 33189)
• Cutler Ridge Park and Pool (10100 SW 200 St, Cutler Bay, Fl, 33189)
• Lincoln City Park (21200 SW 99th ct, Cutler Bay, Fl, 33189) – Town’s smallest park
• Saga Bay Park (8000 SW 205 St, Cutler Bay, Fl, 33189)
• Saga Lake Park (SW 198th St & 83rd Ave, Cutler Bay, Fl, 33189)

Transportation

The city of Cutler Bay has two local transportation services at no cost:

• Go connect

Available Monday through Friday from 5:30 AM to 8 PM (except for holidays), this on-demand public transit service can be booked through a mobile app and it transports people to and from the South Dade Transitway and everywhere in the Cutler Bay boundaries at no cost. It offers its services in English and Spanish.

• Town Circulator Bus

Available Monday through Saturday from 8:40 AM to 4:40 PM and on Sundays from 10:40 AM to 3:40 PM. As of September 1st, 2021 the town circulator bus is free to everybody. The bus stops at every existing bus stop and shelter around its route. The bus real-time can be seen on the Miami Dade Transit website

Food

• Black Point Ocean Grill (24775 SW 87th Ave, Cutler Bay, FL, 33032)

Established in 2005, Black Point Ocean Grill is a waterfront American-style restaurant. Ever since its opening, it has been a regular spot for fishermen due to its closeness to the Marina and local tourists due to its authentic quality, offering from refreshing beverages to fresh seafood. What makes this place special from the others in the area is that they grill and cook in a charcoal-fired hearth, which adds smoky flavor to every meal. This restaurant is also open for private events and its staff is willing to accommodate any specific request. It opens Sunday through Thursday, from 11 AM to 10 PM, and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 AM to 1 AM

• Cubavana Cafe Restaurant (20445 Old Cutler Rd, Cutler Bay, FL, 33189)

A family-owned cafe restaurant, Cubavana offers an authentic Cuban-style menu that is approachable to every single member of the family. Due to the many Cubans or Cuban descendants living in the area, this place is one of the most visited during the family days. It also offers catering services for the holiday season or any specific occasion. It opens Monday through Sunday from 7 AM to 10 PM for dine-in and takes you, and from Monday to Sunday from 11 AM to 9:30 PM for Delivery Services.

• Xochimex Cantina Grill (20525 Old Cutler Rd, Cutler Bay, FL, 33189)

A tex-mex restaurant, Xochimex Cantina Grill’s mission is to satisfy every family member. Blending traditional and contemporary style, it offers an affordable and diverse menu. Something interesting with this restaurant is that they are looking for franchise owners and they have the application for it with the detailed spends on their website. It opens Monday through Sunday from 10:30 AM to 11 PM

businesses

1. MEZZA LATIN HOUSE (19790 South Dixie Highway, Cutler Bay, Fl. 33157)

A Latin-style restaurant. It has been passed down through generations and it has finally opened its door in the Cutler Bay area. Their staff makes you feel like if you were part of their own family. It opens from Monday to Saturday, from 7 in the morning to 8 at night, and Sundays from 8:30 in the morning to 6 in the afternoon. In my personal opinion, the place closes early considering the businesses hours around the area, but overall a great place.

2. SLUSH FACTORY (19367 South Dixie Hwy, Cutler Bay, FL. 33157)

This place is one of the most unique places around the Cutler Bay area. It has unique drinks that you can customize so that no drink is ever going to be the same. You can add anything from airheads to gummy worms, all depends on the customer’s preference. It opens from Sunday to Thursday from 12 pm to 8 pm and Friday and Saturday from 12 pm to 9 pm.

3. ANGELIC’S LADIES (10505 South Dixie Hwy, Cutler Bay, FL. 33189)

This boutique-style store opened in summer 2021. It is located in Southland Mall however its atmosphere does not feel like if you were in the mall. From the moment you walk in you feel welcomed by the ladies working there and they do not judge based on size or appearances. It opens from Monday to Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM and Sundays from 11 AM to 7 PM.

Summary

Within all the neighborhoods in Miami Dade County, Cutler Bay could be considered one of the most familiar ones. From its history to its present days. The people around are very nice and you would find them at most shopping centers with other family members. It is a very Hispanic community, where most of its population speaks Spanish. Most of its establishments close early, which could be one of the reasons why they do not have nightlife around the area.

References

“Black Point Ocean Grill Waterfront Seafood Restaurant.” Black Point Ocean Grill | Miami Waterfront Dining Seafood Restaurant, 1 Mar. 2021, https://blackpointoceangrill.com/black-point-ocean-grill-2/.

“Cutler Bay, FL.” Data USA, https://datausa.io/profile/geo/cutler-bay-fl/.

“Cutler Ridge Park and Pool.” Town of Cutler Bay Florida, https://www.cutlerbay-fl.gov/parksrec/page/cutler-ridge-park-and-pool.

“Home.” Mezza Latin House, https://www.mezzalatinhouse.com/.

“Hours + Location: Cubavana Cafe: Cuban Cafe Restaurant in Beautiful Cutler Bay, FL.” Cubavana Cafe | Cuban Cafe Restaurant in Beautiful Cutler Bay, FL., https://www.cubavanacafe.com/location/cubavana-cafe/.

Ltd., TheGridNet. About Cutler Bay, https://cutlerbaygrid.com/en/info.

“Safety.” Southland Mall, https://www.mysouthlandmall.com/about-us/.

“Settlement in Southern Miami-Dade.” Town of Cutler Bay Florida, https://www.cutlerbay-fl.gov/community/page/settlement-southern-miami-dade.

“South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center.” SMDCAC, https://smdcac.org/content/facility-design.

“Town Transportation.” Town of Cutler Bay Florida, https://www.cutlerbay-fl.gov/publicworks/page/town-transportation.

“Whispering Pines Park.” Town of Cutler Bay Florida, https://www.cutlerbay-fl.gov/parksrec/page/whispering-pines-park.

Xochimex Cantina Grill, https://xochimexcantinagrill.com/.

Student Bio

Daniela is a Junior at Florida International University Honor College. Daniela was born and raised in Havana, Cuba and came to Miami when she was 15 years old. Having spent most of her life as a flamenco dancer, Daniela is really passionate about the influence Spain has in the American culture in general. She is currently majoring in Psychology and once she finishes her bachelors degree, she would like to further her studies and pursue a Masters in Science in Professional Counseling.

Who

The Deering Estate is an environmental preserve listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It dates back to 1920 when Charles Deering from Chicago decided to establish his home in these 444 acres of land. In October 2021, I was able to volunteer on a cleanup in Chicken Key, an inhabited Island in the property of the Deering Estate. Here we collected all the debris coming from Key Biscayne and Old Cutler Road.

Why

This cleanup opportunity is only available to FIU students and alumni. To me in specific, this clean-up was set for professor John Bailly as part of his Miami in Miami class. Both classes Miami in Miami I & II got together to make the time longer and be able to collect more trash.

This project in specific did not relate to my major, however ever since I was a kid, I found interesting the idea of giving back to the community. After Professor Bailly told us how inhabited this island was and how the turtles were dying due to choking with the plastics found in the island, I got excited about being part of this clean-up, and I wish it could have been in a longer period.

How

This opportunity was an eye-opener for me. It was the first time I had gone to an inhabited island just to clean it up. I never thought how much trash there was going to be and seeing the animals having to live with it was devastating. Throughout the day we kept finding crabs that would move stuff out of their way to walk.

Also, being able to meet the other people from Miami in Miami I was a unique experience. We were so used to seeing the same faces that it was like starting all over again introducing one another. The best part of the day by far was not being able to go on our phone due to the lack of signal. It was like getting away from the real world and focusing on a bigger issue.

Where and what

On the morning of October 6, 2021, both Miami in Miami classes met as one at Deering Estate in Palmetto Bay. After we got into the kayak, professor Bailly told us a little bit of a story behind Chicken Key and how every year he takes his students to clean up this inhabited island. Before getting to Chicken Key, we had our first stop at a natural arch, created by the mangroves of the zone. It was a relaxing experience since there was no water current and we could get there pretty easily. Being surrounded by that morning sun, and the cold-ish temperature in the morning was a great way to start the day. After that, we started heading to chicken key.

Once we got there, the first thing to cross off the list was to get on the fresh water and get a refreshing taste of the quiet place. Then, we had lunch as a group before actually starting to pick up the human trash.

Filling our hands with two to three sandbags, we started our cleaning journey. We picked everything, from bottle caps to shoes. I was surprised at how many shoes we picked. We even found a flag attached to one of the trees. It was extremely sad and disappointing to see how the human itself is capable of these types of things.

As we were walking through the island, we saw some crabs, and at least for me, was extremely devastating to see how they had to surround the trash to keep walking. What is even sadder is the fact that some of these crabs die because they try to find a new shelf, yet they get stuck in these water caps.
After picking up the trash we put them back into the kayaks and started heading back to the Deering Estate, but before getting there, we had to enjoy the quiet moment we had, and just laid down on the canoes, away from the city and the phone, completely away from reality.

Once we got to the Deering Estate, we helped the staff to put all the trash away, as we thanked them for having us and being able to clean up for the animals living at Chicken Key

When

summary

In summary, I feel like the clean-up was such a great experience. I had taken a similar class before, however, I never got the opportunity of heading to this island. I felt such a privilege, as first off, almost anybody knows of the existence of this island, and the access to it is very limited. Being able to help in some shape was the greatest satisfaction I was able to take home with me that day. I am aware that maybe a year from now when another class goes again, there is going to be plenty of human debris again, yet I think that if we had never gone in the first place, then this trash would be accumulating.

I feel like the day not being that hot in Miami helped a lot, as the temperatures here usually tend to get in the way of everything. Another thing that helped was that there was little water current, which took us faster to the island and was faster to go back as well. Something that did not work, however, was that we were short on kayaks. I feel like if we would have had more kayaks, we could have picked more trash as we would have had more room for the bags. Another thing that I did not find fair was the short time we had. I wanted to stay longer to at least clear as much as we could.

I just feel happy overall that these types of clean-ups are taking place, as many people tend to think that if nobody lives there, they do not have any obligations with the island, and it should not be like that, as animals still live there.

Daniela is a Junior at Florida International University Honor College. Daniela was born and raised in Havana, Cuba and came to Miami when she was 15 years old. Having spent most of her life as a flamenco dancer, Daniela is really passionate about the influence Spain has in the American culture in general. She is currently majoring in Psychology and once she finishes her bachelors degree, she would like to further her studies and pursue a Masters in Science in Professional Counseling.

Downtown as text

“Unspoken History”

By Daniela Canizares of FIU at HistoryMiami Museum,1st August 2021

Miami: the center of festivities, party, and just in general a whole inclusive mix of people from all races and ethnicities, but, was it always like that? This question usually goes past the people’s heads as all they think about is how inclusive this city is. This question takes us to the History Miami Museum to take a closer look at history.

If we trace it back to its beginnings, Miami was the land of the Tequestas. They lived by the Miami River, where they had the perfect mix of saltwater and drinkable water. Unfortunately, the remains we have of these people are vague because they got dispersed all over Miami to develop the city.

Moving a couple of years further, we encounter Henry Flagler. He was great for the development of Miami as a city and the idea of bringing people to Miami. However, he was also one of the reasons for segregation in Miami and the creation of Overtown (formerly Colortown). His statue in front of the Courthouse can either represent a “thank you” for the creation of the city we live in today, or a mock to justice because in the first place he was not the best one at practicing it. In the HistoryMiami Museum, we had the opportunity to get on an original, functional Trolley. The “white people sit front” sign was still in there, and being able to see how the seats moved from one side to the other, was just an unforgettable experience. Having that personal contact with history is a unique thing.

Moving on to the present years, we see how Miami founds itself with that mix of ethnicities, even though it was not always accepted. People escaping from their own countries for political or economic reasons is just the hardest side of a country. Me as a Cuban born and raised, I always heard the stories of people coming in rafts escaping the political situation in Cuba but never had the experience of seeing one of these rafts in front of me. Seeing it there gave me chills of how people risk their lives to give themselves and their families a better future. It might seem like a short distance for some, but being in the Ocean for days without any signal or GPS is by large, one of the scariest things to think about. And what is even sadder is hearing the stories of people coming from all over the world and some of them, not even making it alive.

We love our mix of cultures in Miami, and having the cafecito every morning with the empanada, but do we even sit down to think how was it that we incorporated those things into our culture? Looking back to that unspoken history, we should be grateful for the things we have.

Overtown as a text

“Warmest of the welcomes”

By Daniela Canizares of FIU at Overtown Miami, 15 September 2021

“Are you going to Overtown? Is not that dangerous?” That was the way my friend came to me when I told her where my next visit was going to be. To her surprise, she could not be more wrong about it.

For many years Overtown has been looked like the dangerous side of Miami. This dates back to segregation, and this stereotype was given to this part of town because it was the area designated for African Americans to live in. At that time, being of another race but white would title someone as a criminal automatically.

A big part of the greatest artists of Miami came from Overtown, however, they will give presentations outside Overtown, but would have to return here to spend the night. They had been completely segregated from the rest of Miami. This is unspoken in schools and history, but it did happen in real life, and not so long ago. These archives are only in this part of town, as back in the days, being part of this community was not important to the rest of Miami.

Many of the plans to end segregation took place here, and important people on history as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke in Mount Zion Baptist Church. What an experience was to hear from someone who was there at that moment!

Such a rich place in history, yet so forgotten by many. The people in Overtown are still mainly African Americans and they come from low-income families. Many of these historic places have needed to be protected, however, many did not have this luck and now are just part of history that can not even be seen. Not only this, but these people, who were already moved to this part of town only, are now starting to be forced out of here as well. Of course, they have to be defensive when an outsider comes! Big companies are buying lots (that are supposed to be cheap) at prices owners cannot deny. Once they buy it, they start building these apartment complexes where rent starts at $2,500/month and only 10% of these apartments are for low-income families. “I used to live in that corner over there, now, it is just history” yelled a local at us, signaling the big apartment complex. Locals want to defend the little they have. Once they knew we were there just to embrace their culture and learn more about it, their eyes lit up and opened their sources for all of us, thanking us for taking the class over there.

Such a stereotype to break about Overtown. So much history related to this place, history that if business keeps growing is only going to be in the memories of many, and passed down to future generations as a tale of what one day, Overtown used to be.

vizcaya as a text

“A house the size of an island”

By Daniela Canizares of FIU at Vizcaya Gardens and Museum, 13 October 2021

Growing up in another country, I always had the idea of these beautiful houses as something magical, out of this world. I never even imagined that a house as big as a small island could be possible; until I walked inside Villa Vizcaya.
From the very first moment you step inside the property, it completely blows your mind how different it is from the rest of Miami. The sculptures, the meaning behind it, everything being so harmonically synchronized takes your mind out of the craziness Miami has become.

Walking inside the house, you get an instant message about what James Deering considered important. For him, his house was all about having fun, and making his own house a place he would not need to go out for anything, more like people would come so that they could have the greatest of the times. Just walking inside you get the impression he had money, as the house is a two-storage property with plenty of rooms and at the time, this was considered a luxury. However, this house is much more than a two-storage property!

He had plenty of rooms for people who wanted to come and stay the night -mind me telling you he lived alone but had all of these rooms!. The house even has secret passages for the people he considered “special” to go inside and be part of his parties. As you step outside-or to what in those days would be the main entrance, you see s shipwreck to break the waves as the people would safely come to his house. Just the wave breaker is as beautiful as you can imagine it and as big as an apartment in Miami. But this is not all. As you keep walking you would find the most beautiful part of the house: the gardens. They are symmetrically decorated. He even had his secret garden inside the garden, not to mention his theater. What a man!

Unfortunately, now this part of the original Villa Vizcaya is not accessible to the public anymore, but he had a monkey island, all to himself. Can you even imagine that?

I feel like honestly if I would have lived in this mansion, I would not need to leave the house. It is like having your hotel.

South beach as a text

“Home”

By Daniela Canizares of FIU at South Beach, 27 October 2021

“There is no place like home”. Every time I see someone coming from the Northern states I keep asking them: “but why would you come to spend your weekend in 90 degrees weather?” to what they always reply “It is something about Miami”. After this visit to South Beach, I could see what they were talking about. Even though we live in Miami, we do not usually go and visit Miami Beach, either for the paid parking spots, for the heat of Miami, or just because we already know the traffic we are going to have on our way back, but from time to time it is good to see what our city has to offer.

Miami Beach’s architecture is something so unique to us that we tend to overlook it, and it is not until someone points it out that we start appreciating it. Miami Beach has the biggest and largest collection of architectural buildings in the world. This has been fought for the longest time in history. For some people, it was more productive just to tear down these beautiful buildings and build the typical 60-floor hotels. However, if the city of Miami Beach did not have the strict rules it has in protecting its buildings, we would not be such a unique city. As you walk by you can see a contrast between three different architectural styles: (1) MiMo-Miami Modern architecture, which gives you a sensation that you are boarding a shipping cruise, with all its curves and open spaces at the top of the building, (2) Mediterranean revival architecture, that gives you the impression of a 1600’s European villa, (3) art deco architecture, with its pastel colors and rules of three (three windows, three lines, three storages), and every other building that did not count on the regulations and look like every other building in every other city, unfortunately.

Not to talk about the colors they painted them, reflecting the magnificent water from the beach and the terrible but lovely sun of Miami. If beautiful in the morning, even better at night, when all the neon signs turn on, and the music gets its loudest.

To think about Miami is to think about all these colors we are going to see on their building’s facade, all the beautiful people dancing and singing around, and of course what gives it its essence, the well-conserved buildings. Not my birth country, but glad to call it my home.

Deering as a text

“The real Miami”

By Daniela Canizares of FIU at Deering Estate, 17 November 2021

When we think about Miami, we always think about this scenery full of life and lights, but barely we think about its beginnings. The oldest track of the first road we find is at Deering Estate, and it would be crazy to think that this was considered, back in the days, like a mountain.

Fascinating about this place is the rest of the work tools we see all over the place, and it makes sense to see that it could date back to these times due to their shape. The fact that they fit into a person’s hand perfectly tells us the story of how the tequestas could have used it for daily purposes. The nature telling the story of our ancestors is something we would not find Downtown, let us say.

Not only story-wise but also, the things we find hidden between the mangroves is something so unique of this place, so “Miamian”. A masonry sign is hidden between rocks. How did it get there in the first place? To crave it, someone would have to have it done from the bottom, and of the whole, it is located at, and looking at it from up, it was pretty deep. Aliens? This question is one of the many that will never have an answer. A plane crashed in the middle of the mangroves. I do not think it gets more unique than this. It dates back to when Miami was one of the biggest cocaine trafficking cities in the late XX century. Getting to the plane is something people should not do on their own, but it is a magnificent experience.

Also, when we think about Miami we think about pavements, almost no mangroves surrounding us, or barely any nature. Being in contact with the real Miami and just feeling nature, putting your feet in the water, and having to hold onto the mangroves to pass over a rock, just let us wonder what life was at the beginning when there was no cell phones or cars.

Being without a signal for a couple of hours and just breathing the fresh air, is something most people in Miami are not used to, however, if they could do it, I am pretty sure they would love the feeling of reconnecting to a healthier lifestyle.

Rubell as a text

“Fake reality”

By Daniela Canizares of FIU at Rubell Museum, 24 November 2021

As much as we try to hide it, the world we live in right now is not the healthiest or the most real of them. Social media has been taken over everyone’s life, even if we do not want to accept it. An example of this is the collection by the artist Cajsa von Zeipel at the Rubell Museum. With her contemporary art, she wanted to give an example of the world we live in.

The sculptures are disintegrating, which could mean that people are slowly stopping being themselves to turn into nothing. Also, when you look into their eyes they seem empty as if they would have stopped caring for the longest. They seem pretty young, yet they look like if they were so tired. The need of being “influencers” is slowly making them be something they are not. The sculpture of the painter painting absolutely nothing, the traveler influencer carrying all the Louis Vuitton bags, the social media celebrity with the latest phone, the “party animal” with the latest trends, yet all of them disintegrating. The dog with fake eyelashes and clothing shows how far are we taking things and is more of a wake-up call to how wrong we are doing things.

My perspective of this collection is that the artist wants us to see how far we have taken things with social media. Not everything needs to be done for outside validation. I feel like these sculptures should not be on such a hidden gallery, if anything they should be rearranged to be one of the first ones we see when we walk inside Rubell museum due to the huge impact it has on today’s society.

untitled as a text

“Personal”

By Daniela Canizares of FIU at Untitled Art, 1 December 2021.

Art Basel week in Miami is by far one of the most important weeks of the year. Numerable artists from all around the world come here to share their art with the world, and with hopes, they sell them and recover the money they invested. This being my first time in such an important event, I felt very overwhelmed, and it got to the point where most of the art stopped making sense for me. However, I guess professor Bailly saved the best for last.

It was Arleene Correa Valencia’s work that made me take the best out of the event home with me. Her art speaks volumes, and even though it was not the same story as mine, I felt extremely related to her. We are both immigrants, and listening to her story gave me shivers. Just like my parents, her parents sacrificed everything to give her a better future, and now she is here, showing her art in one of the most important events all over the world. The sentimental part to it, and feeling how much her family means for her, made me realize that even though “art is art” if artists were to put more feelings and personal stories to it, people would be more open to going to these type of events. Other artists throughout the gallery would speak in a professional, formal manner. However, Arleene came to us more in a friendly way and shared her whole life story. It takes a lot of courage to do that in front of strangers if I say so myself.

Not only the sentimental part, but the way she combines different styles made her artwork stand out from everyone else’s. During the daytime, you could mainly see one out of the two people in the picture, yet at night time (or when reflected with a flash), you could see the other one. Also, having two of her artwork dedicated to those who do not make it into the country, lets us realize what a heart she has and how a good person she is, and on top of that an excellent artist.

Her brother was also there in the exhibit. This shows us, that her art is not purely for sale, but how much the term “family” really means for them, since he was able to be there on one of her most important days.

Yes, sometimes art is abstract, however giving it this personal touch can catch everyone’s attention, even if you do not relate to her story. By far, this was my favorite exhibition in all the galleries.

everglades as text

“The beauty of the untouched”

By Daniela Canizares of FIU at Everglades, 19 January 2022.

A definition of beauty might not always be the same for everybody. Some people find the gigantic skyscrapers in New York fascinating. However, for people in Miami, we have something I would call the prettiest, manly untouched most beautiful work ever made from nature: the Everglades.

It might sound unrealistic, but as you walk inside the Everglades, you completely forget about the disturbing real world. At first, I found it gross getting into the water, yet the nature surrounding you as you get deeper into the Everglades makes you forget about what is on your feet. I had never seen an owl before, yet I have had heard stories about how majestic they were. All I can say is that indeed they are! Standing right above me was this owl; so beautifully unbothered, knowing she was the main character on a movie where we were just the people wanting to see it.

Deeper in was this alligator, unbothered as well, allowing us to see him from a so close point, yet knowing that if he wanted to, he could make us run as fast as we possibly could.

These beautiful creatures, blessing us with their presence is most definitely one of the things I was not expecting to see ever in my life, and having this opportunity is a very unique one most people never get to experience. We tend to underestimate nature when it comes to the standards of beauty in a city that is pretty much completely developed when in reality the most beautiful places are those where the man has not done any plans over it.

Coral Gables as text

“Erasing History”

By Daniela Canizares of FIU at Coral Gables, February 2nd, 2022.

As Coral Gables rises as one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Miami Dade County, the efforts to erase important figures out of the history of this city are innumerable. Just like many people around the time Coral Gables was founded, the planner of this city, George Merrick, had some ideas that were just despicable for other people. However, the sensitivity in which we are living makes it harder to acknowledge that he was the headmaster behind one of the most developed cities around the world.

Even though people were skeptical about buying the land around Coral Gables because they would not see their business growth in this area, Merrick had a vision and he was able to make it through, making Coral Gables one of the most thriving cities.

At first, he knew he needed the basics to make deals with the buyers, so he built the Biltmore Hotel, which became, and it is still up to this day, one of the most recognized hotels all around the world. It was so recognized that all the famous people at the time needed to stay there if they were coming to Miami. He also knew he needed a church, for Sunday mass, so right in front of the Biltmore Hotel, he built an inclusive church, which still functions up to this day. Then he went and created a school for grammar, reading, and spelling. With this, it was a boom to society. Faster than the whole world thought, Coral Gables became a party scene. Everyone wanted to be part of Coral Gables, or at least experience it.

Now, it is also to be said, that Mr. Merrick was not the best one when it comes to his labor workers. Anywhere, but in some books, there is enough recognition to the Bahamians behind the rising of this city. After they finished working, they were completely segregated from this exclusive city. Just as Merrick needs recognition for his job, so do these workers, which we do not even know their names.

In my opinion, erasing the name of the person building the University of Miami from one of their buildings is something to the extreme, as well as taking his name off some places that do need his recognition. I feel like erasing history should never be the right thing to do, but to recognize everyone for their efforts.

river of the grass as a text

“Luckiest? Unluckiest?”

By Daniela Canizares of FIU at the Everglades, February 27, 2022

More often than we think, we tend to overestimate the value behind the quiet silence of the Everglades. Coming for the fourth time here still does not stop to amaze me how peaceful it can be to walk through this scenery, with just nature surrounding you.

When we say, I am going to the Everglades for a class project some people might call you unlucky, however to me, every time I go I feel the luckiest person in Miami. I get to just get off my phone for a couple of hours since there is no service and interact face to face with my classmates. This feeling is getting lost, as we spend most of our time glued to our phones. Getting away from the road, and slowly becoming one with the birds, expecting the best yet the worst things to happen at the same time, hoping to see some spectacular animal out of the sudden, yet almost drowning because of the natural holes in the floor is a unique experience, that I am lucky enough to say I experienced it.

I would have never probably done this without this class, as I always complain to get myself wet up to my waist, however, once I am there, I enjoy it like I never thought of doing. When the water is calmed, you can see your reflection, the clearest water you would ever find, purest as it gets. Only the luckiest people can say they were able to spend the day walking through what could have been, Miami as a whole.

wynwood as a text

“More valuable than money itself”

By Daniela Canizares of FIU at the Margulies Collection, March 9, 2022

Wynwood as we know it nowadays is greatly influenced by the arts in every single of its manifestations. As we walk through it, we find one of the pioneers of Wynwood as the Wynwood we are used to The Margulies Collection. 

Holding a very vast art collection, this nonprofit organization stands out from the rest. It shows different collections at a time, very different in a sense, yet with a similarity: the meaning behind them. The touchiest part for me was the exhibition by the artist Anselm Kiefer. From my interpretation, his work can be very dark, as he does not use as much color, yet this is also what makes it more powerful. It lets the other person find the own meaning behind his work. The gigantic sculpture named The Ages of The World makes me think of how difficult it might have been to be in war. The canvas was thrown randomly, surrounded by camera films of what used to be a house, and dead flowers make me think that maybe he lived there, and all that is left was dead and destruction and maybe every other memory. This one is a permanent exhibition, and one of the most powerful ones. 

Completely different from this one, we find the Truck Installation by Barry McGee. This exhibition displays a truck filled with TVs that keep on playing throughout the day. Maybe this piece is not as valuable in the market right now, yet fixing one of these TVs can cost the Margulies Warehouse so much money, yet they decide to keep it as a permanent exhibition. To me, I love it because it made the perfect spot to remember how the old school TVs were not that long ago and to see how ahead technology is. 

Lastly, there is this current exhibition that holds a special memory on every American. The piece I am talking about is “The Situation Room” by Will Ryan. This piece, made of charcoal figures displays an iconic moment when under President Obama’s presidency, the mind behind the 9/11 attacks was murdered. This battle scene shows how battles are fought now, in front of a computer, showing no feelings towards what is going on the other side of the screen, yet at the same time, marking the life of future generations. For these sculptures, the details are extremely accented, almost as if the artist has had a real-life person under the charcoal. 

Not the value these exhibitions have, but the power behind it is what makes the Margulies collection one of the most valuable places in Wynwood. Most definitely a must-visit place if somebody is around the area. 

coconut grove as a text

“Reality check”

By Daniela Canizares of FIU at Coconut Grove, March 23, 2022

When people come to Coconut Grove, they expect to see the beautiful boulevards, or the overpriced dinners and trendy retail stores, yet they never stop to learn about the reality of Coconut Grove.

Originally a Bahamian neighborhood, Coconut Grove preserves very little of its history up to date. We do have to recognize that they have done a magnificent job keeping the Stirrup house painted and renovated, however, we can not say the same thing about the other historic places around the area. Hidden within the other houses, we find a house with a beautiful history. A single mother decided to save up and buy this property in Coconut Grove to raise her family, yet we only see a sign in front of her house. The walls of such an important place for women’s history are tearing apart, and so is the history of the place, since no one cares enough to preserve it. So is the case of the old Playhouse. Pictures of the place show how important it was for the growth of the neighborhood, and that now is simply closed is devastating. Not to compare, but they have given more attention to a coffee shop than to this cultural space that in its peak times was one of the more important around the area. Sad enough!

What is more alarming is that even the people living there do not know of the beautiful history behind this neighborhood. “All you will find around here is the Playhouse and the Stirrup House”, yelled a guy from across the street when we were doing our walking lecture. What about the cemetery? Is not important that veterans rest on this ground? Or if they are not historically cultured enough but follow the music, is not important that Michael Jackson was inspired by this cemetery for his hit thriller?

And to think this will be the mentality of all of Miami in a couple of years is just a reality that unfortunately we have to slowly swallow. It is a pill we take without wanting it and knowing it will be more harmful than the benefits it will bring.

key Biscayne as text

“El farito”

Known by many tourists and locals because of its beautiful beach, Bill Baggs state park is much more than just that. Fairly known as “el farito” by visitors, the history behind this lighthouse dates back to even Seminole Wars. Some people just pass by to go up the lighthouse and see Miami from a sky view, but not many put themselves in the position of the lighthouse keepers, who died in this place.

As someone terrified of heights, this experience is one that I would always carry with me everywhere I go. While going up those spiral stairs, they seem like they are never going to finish, and the higher it gets the narrower their steps are (a complete nightmare for someone claustrophobic, I might say). Once up there, there is a tiny door that lets you go outside and supervise Miami from 95 ft up in the air. With only enough space for one visitor at a time, you can walk around the top part of the lighthouse, but always keep all of your accessories safe with you, because once the wind from Key Biscayne takes it away from you, that would be the last time you will be able to see it. Yet what amazes me, even more, is that once up there there is a higher stair, closed as of right now, that will take you to the higher part of the lighthouse. When I saw this I was wondering if they had ever actually used it (of course they did, but I just could not picture anybody going up there with no safety and strong wind). And that now they had to put a lock to it because tourists will go up there? Just to think about it I would get very nauseous.

The view from up there was amazing. ou could divide Key Biscayne, Miami Downtown, and the beautiful beach, not in vain ranked as the top 5 most beautiful beaches in the world. If ever have the chance of going up to the Bill Baggs Lighthouse, I would recommend it, even if you are scared of heights, because I am, and would love to tell everyone how I went 95ft up in the air and saw my beautiful city from up there.