Do you love sea turtles and dolphins and manatees and all the creatures that live in our seas? So does CIC, and that’s why they’ve teamed up with Lean Orb, a CIC-based company, to adopt sustainable cutlery, tableware, and straws and cut single-use plastics out of their cafeteria. Now, CIC is 98 percent plastic free.

Lean Orb uses renewable bamboo to create natural cutlery and the waste from processing sugarcane stalks to manufacture plates, bowls, and to-go containers. Plus, they work with companies to provide education and training on the importance of reducing plastic waste. Learn more about their work at CIC over on our website.

CIC knows that Miami companies must care about our environment and make sustainable decisions. They align with forward-thinking entrepreneurs like those at Lean Orb and host recurring programming, advising, and community-building initiatives to improve sustainability and resiliency in our city. Come celebrate CIC’s community spirit, meet more of their amazing entrepreneurs, and learn how you can get involved in improving Miami at CIC’s second anniversary party.

PRODUCED BY THE NEW TROPIC CREATIVE STUDIO WITH CIC MIAMI

🌊Join in the #RespectourReef campaign and sign the Nature Conservancy’s pledge to protect the state’s coral reefs. The conservancy is organizing the campaign on behalf of the Florida Reef Resilience Program. Head here to learn more about the program and who’s involved.

☀️Want to go solar? Head to Miami UTD solar co-op’s information session. It’s free tonight at Miami Ironside.

Got an opportunity, workshop, scholarship, grant, etc. you want other curious locals to know about? Hit us up at [email protected] (subject line: “Bulletin Board”) to have it listed here.

Finally done. Over the weekend, the second round of statewide recounts ended and confirmed GOP victories in the races for U.S. Senate and governor, for Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis. Their Democratic opponents, Bill Nelson and Andrew Gillum, both conceded. Meanwhile, the recount benefited Democrat Nikki Fried who won the race for agriculture commissioner after she was headed for a loss to Republican Matt Caldwell on election night. (Miami Herald, Politico Florida, Tampa Bay Times)

Housing help. City of Miami commissioners tentatively approved a law geared at encouraging developers to build more affordable units in exchange for looser zoning restrictions. It’s the first mandatory affordable-housing ordinance in city history, and it will affect areas around the Adrienne Arsht Center and the nightclub district near E11even and Space. (Miami New Times)

Hands off our coladas. A sign at Miami Dade College that appeared to ban coladas caused a social media firestorm last week. School administrators say the Cuban coffee so many of us swear by wreaks havoc when it’s spilled on carpets or computers. They later clarified that students are welcome to indulge outside classrooms and even posted a video to clear up any confusion. Cheers to that. (Miami.com)

Putting Miami on the map. Beaches and sun aren’t the only things drawing tourists to Miami these days. Our growing food hall scene got some love from The New York Times this week, with the newspaper talking up the “bright and bustling” scene at places like Casa Tua Cucina and the appeal to “exotic tastes” at 1-800-Lucky.  (NYT)

E-cigarette outrage. A class-action lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court accuses e-cigarette manufacturer Juul of marketing practices that allegedly hooked underage teens on vaping. One Miami mother said she was completely unaware her two sons started “juuling” in middle school, and she claims that the teens are now addicted to nicotine. (Miami New Times)

From Instagram to Art Basel. What started as a Dutch photographer’s school project is on its way an exhibition at the Scope Art Fair during Art Basel. For the past couple of years, Hajar Benjida’s Instagram account  juxtaposes classic paintings with photos of rapper Young Thug. We’ll see how many likes the exhibit gets IRL. (Pitchfork)

ONE MORE THING

We want to give a shout out to The Miami Foundation and everyone who opened their wallets for a major haul on Give Miami Day last Thursday. More than 20,000 donors gave $11.5 million to Miami organizations, which topped last year’s record of $10.1 million.

Congratulations again and kudos to everyone who gave. Catch ya tomorrow, Miami.

– The New Tropic