Hope you’ve enjoyed the last three-odd months indoors, because there’s more where that came from: Mayor Carlos Gimenez announced much of Miami-Dade County is closing down again due to the latest COVID-19 numbers. The order, which takes effect tomorrow, applies to gyms, restaurant dining rooms, and other public spaces we took for granted. Who needs words when a simple 🙃 will suffice?

As long as you’re stuck at home, why not spruce up the place and support ocean conservation efforts at the same time? You can do that by purchasing new prints from Miami-based art collective and environmental advocates Coral Morphologic. All sales help further the group’s mission of celebrating and preserving Miami’s aquatic wonders through projects like Coral City Camera.

Proud Miami Beach native and Books & Books founder Mitchell Kaplan is hosting a chat with none other than Jim Carrey Thursday night. The two will be joined by Judy Blume —yes, of Superfudge fame — and Dana Vachon, who co-authored the recently released book Memoirs and Misinformation alongside Carrey. Tickets for the online talk can be bought via Eventbrite.

Even mid-pandemic, Miami is still a hotspot for filming scenic sights. Miami New Times has compiled seven music videos that were shot in the city within the last few months. If you’ve been hunkered down inside and forgotten how picturesque the outside world can be, look no further.

Three months of social distancing in Miami ended abruptly with people organizing and protesting in response to the murder of George Floyd.

One Miami filmmaker is sharing this historic series of events through the lens of Instagram stories.

The film is part of Close Quarter Commissions, a free micro-film festival organized by Oolite Arts. Oolite commissioned 12 Miami filmmakers to each make a three-minute piece while observing social distancing and using the limited resources available to them during quarantine.

The stories on display range from COVID conspiracy theories to the challenges of managing both unemployment and trying to work at home with young children.

All 12 films will premiere on July 15.

RSVP here to watch Miami filmmakers share what they’ve captured during this unprecedented time.

Advertisement for Oolite Arts produced by The New Tropic Creative Studio

Think about this – what are our schools really teaching us?

Did you know that more than 65 years ago the landmark ruling in the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court case declared racial segregation unconstitutional, yet today we see our schools just as segregated, if not more, than in 1954?

In week two of YWCA South Florida’s 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge, you’ll dive into intriguing and educational content themed around how the vast impact of inequity has been ingrained in our community’s educational systems.

For the next five days, discover and explore the history of our harsh reality – continued segregation has perpetuated lasting negative effects on children and communities of color.

Join YWCA South Florida in their ongoing fight to eliminate racism, empower women and stand up for justice. Sign up for the challenge today at www.ywcasouthflorida.org or contact Angelica Ramcharran at [email protected].

Partnership with YWCA South Florida

Until next time,

— Zach and The New Tropic