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👀 Why all eyes are on Tally
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👀 Why all eyes are on Tally

Here’s to making a splash this week. // Tag @thenewtropic or use #livelikeyoulivehere to see your pic here!

What Miami is talking about

You all know we love the 305, but a lot of eyes are on Tallahassee as the state’s two-month legislative session gets started today. This busy period is when our state lawmakers will be approving a budget and eyeing new laws on everything from guns to voting rights to our prison system, and issues like the climate crisis and marijuana reform.

But one big topic got some extra attention yesterday as educators rallied at the Capitol ahead of what Gov. Ron DeSantis has coined the “Year of the Teacher.”

Last year, the governor announced plans to create a new higher minimum wage standard for Florida teachers, but that proposal still has to win approval in the Legislature, and some educators and union leaders feel it doesn’t go far enough.

We’ll be keeping an eye on big updates during the session, but if there are topics or bills that you think need a little more shine here, feel free to hit reply and let us know.

In other news…

Could Homestead’s detention center reopen? There’s been no official word that it’s happening, but in the next few months, the controversial facility could once again be housing unaccompanied minors who have crossed the U.S. border. Officials with the Department of Homeland Security said it depends on how many unaccompanied kids enter the country in the coming weeks. (Miami Herald)

Up in smoke. Florida voters won’t decide on legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults this year. But organizers’ hopes aren’t totally extinguished. The Make it Legal Florida group said they hope to take the petition signatures they gathered, which are good for two years, to make a big push for the 2022 ballot. (Tampa Bay Times)

A new retail reality. As more and more retail and department-store giants close up shop or downsize, South Florida is at a crossroads when it comes to the future of IRL shopping. Malls, shopping districts, and developers are all looking for ways to attract those in-person dollars — and they’re finding there’s no one-size-fits-all fix. (Miami Herald)

Miami Gardens City Hall.
(📸: Lance Dixon/The New Tropic)

What’s up in Miami Gardens

Miami Gardens is one of SoFla’s newest cities, but it still has plenty of history to go around.

The area encompasses neighborhoods like Carol City and Bunche Park and sits just south of the Broward County line. It officially became a city nearly 17 years ago and is now the third largest city in Miami-Dade County.

Over the years, the mostly suburban community has seen plenty of growth and the opening of new attractions like Topgolf and Hard Rock Stadium — aka the site of Super Bowl 54.

Miami Gardens also has one of the largest concentrations of black residents in the country and includes a cultural mix of folks from the Caribbean, West Africa, and beyond. So with all that in mind, we’re looking to explore Miami Gardens. And that’s where you can help us!

Let us know your questions here, and check back in the newsletter for your opportunity to vote on which one we’ll report out and answer.

New year, new you, new experiences!

Join The New Tropic and Baptist Health as we dip our toe into the world of synchronized swimming. This introductory class will be taught by the world renowned Aqualillies! With a special swag item, light bites, and Instagram-worthy content, we promise you will leave with a good story.

No experience is required, and as a special deal to celebrate our fifth birthday we’re doing a two-for-one extravaganza!

At check out, click tickets, enter promo code, and use code twoforone to get your discounted tickets for this Saturday! Limited code usages, so get yours now!

Today

🎶 Check out New Order's pioneering new wave sounds at the Fillmore, through Jan. 15 (South Beach)

😋 Nom on vegan chik'n sandwiches and fries at this L.A. plant-based pop-up (Little Havana)

🗣️ Listen to stories about adventure at this month's edition of The Moth StorySLAM (Downtown)

Tomorrow

🔥 Watch the Heat take on the San Antonio Spurs (Downtown)

🎥 Watch a screening of "Feelings are Facts: The Life of Yvonne Rainer" as part of ScreenDance 2020 (Wynwood)

Thursday

🗣️ Explore the future of sound at this workshop with DJ Le Spam at Sweat Records (Little Haiti)

🎵 Dance to the sounds of some "she-jays" at The Anderson's Matriarchy party (Upper East Side)

🎨 Hop on a trolley and cruise to music, art and film pop-ups on this free culture crawl (Miami Beach) (Partner)

Friday

✈️ Test your trivia smarts at Gramps for a chance to win a free flight (Wynwood)

🎶 Party at the Sounds of Little Haiti with Klass (Little Haiti)

🎨 Learn how to screen print at this one-day workshop (South Beach)

🎶 Groove at Minnie's Disco with a DJ set by afrobeta (Wynwood)

Saturday

🌊 Come get your feet wet and join us in a synchronized swimming fitness class taught by the Aqualillies. You know you always wanted to try it. (Kendall) (Partner)

🎶 Catch a live set by Otto Von Schirach at Churchill's Pub (Little Haiti)

😋 Nom on a farm-to-table dinner at a local farm (Little Haiti)

🏐 Grab a group of friends or come solo and meet new buddies at this sunset volleyball bash and BBQ (North Beach)

🎶 Catch Willy Chirino live at Flamingo Theater Bar (Brickell)

Sunday

🎨 Catch "Corporal Decorum," a multidisciplinary performance by Liony Garcia, at Art Deco Weekend (South Beach)

😅 Do a downward dog at this free yoga class and get $5 off food at Time Out Market (South Beach)

Monday

🏀 Catch the Heat as they take on the Sacramento Kings (Downtown)

💪 Volunteer on Virginia Key and learn about local non-profits to celebrate MLK Day (Key Biscayne)

That’s all for today

We’ll see you tomorrow, Miami.

— The New Tropic

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