It's Official!

Check out the official music video for Overtown's own Desloc Piccalo for the single "Stick N Roll." I know, we've been vibin' to it in Dade for a while now, but the video debuted on YouTube a few days ago. So enjoy! Shout out to Booker T. Washington High School Marching Band making their appearance!!!
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Get ready for cuts/layoffs in Dade

Check out today's Miami Herald report HERE on Mayor Carlos Alvarez's memo regarding the state of the County's finances. Anyone can see, as with other cities and counties, we are in tough times economically, so cuts are expected. However, I noticed there was no mention of cuts from the Mayor's office or salary to "do more with less." Hmmm looks like the trimming is starting from the bottom...when it rains on the power, it seems to pour on the people. Read more!

Be there...The Fair!

You all know what that line means...the 57th Annual Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo (formerly known to us as "The Youth Fair") kicked off tonight! The famous fair extends to April 13th, so take your family...go with your friends...Aww don't act like you don't know the song!

Click HERE for ticket prices, exhibit schedules, fair times & more info...have fun! Read more!

Suspect sought in killing of Victor Carmona

The following is an excerpt from an email I received from a fellow Miami High alum concerning the shooting death of our schoolmate, Victor Carmona. Miami Police have released a description of the suspect, and need the community or anyone with information's help to find him and bring him into authorities. Please note that the suspect is being described by Miami Police as "armed and dangerous." Please also note that Mr. Mendez is innocent until proven guilty, but needs to be brought into the proper authorities so that Victor's family may find some closure in this tragedy.

Jul​ian​ Men​dez​, 28,​ a con​vic​ted​ rob​ber​ and​ sex​ual​ off​end​er,​ is bei​ng sou​ght​ in the​ sho​oti​ng dea​th of a fat​her​ of thr​ee ins​ide​ a All​apa​tta​h nig​ht clu​b las​t wee​k, Mia​mi pol​ice​ sai​d Mon​day​. Mia​mi hom​ici​de det​ect​ive​s say​ Men​dez​ sho​t and​ kil​led​ Vic​tor​ Car​mon​a, 26,​ at the​ Mer​eng​ue Hou​se Nig​htc​lub​, 245​0 NW 36t​h St.​, on Fri​day​ mor​nin​g.
Car​mon​a was​ sho​t as he tri​ed bre​aki​ng up a fig​ht bet​wee​n Men​dez​, ano​the​r man​ and​ a thi​rd clubgo​er.​ He is des​cri​bed​ as fiv​e-f​oot​-si​x wit​h lon​g-b​rai​ded​ hai​r and​ Chi​nes​e cha​rac​ter​s on his​ nec​k. Accord​ing​ to sta​te rec​ord​s, he als​o had​ ''J​uli​ann​e''​ ink​ed on his​ lef​t arm​, and​ ''M​ob'​' on his​ lef​t che​st.​ Any ​one​ wit​h inf​orm​ati​on can​ cal​l Mia​mi Det​ect​ive​ Fre​ddy​ Pon​ce at 305​-57​9-6​530​, or Mia​mi-​Dad​e Cri​me Sto​ppe​rs at 305​-47​1-8​477​.

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County approves "settlement" with Empowerment Trust

There's a surprisingly small article in today's Miami Herald about Dade County's settlement with the Miami-Dade Empowerment Trust (that's the County-created agency that was supposed to use funding to implement economic development in our poorest neighborhoods...and well...they didn't).

According to the report, the County agrees to take back some land that the Trust was responsible for, some money, and THE KILLER: "legal and financial responsibility for the the trust's employees and board members." Hmmmmm. This does not include criminal activity, but looks like a little sweep under the rug! The sad truth to this all is that there are still unfinished projects started under the umbrella of this trust, and our communities still lack the economic development promised. And now it seems no one will be brought to task for it. Give your commissioners and "holla" and see how the County plans to rectify broken promises, the answers should be interesting. (Source) Read more!

Glow in the Dark Tour coming to the Triple A!

Kanyeezy is coming to Dade County people! And he's bringing some friends! The Glow in the Dark Tour, featuring Kanye West of course, and friends N.E.R.D., Lupe Fiasco, and Rihanna, comes to the American Airlines Arena on May 6th. Tickets are sale now!!! Read more!

It's back to business on 79th Street!

Several business owners along Northwest 79th Street have come together to form the "79th Street Business Association." Check out the article on the new association HERE.

I always keep high hopes for our community, and I know that progress is possible. Initiatives like this are a good look for improving economic development in one of the most needed areas of the County. I'm looking forward to seeing big things for the businesses along 79th Street and for the people of that community.

If you are a business owner in the area and would like more info on how to join, don't forget to click the link to the Miami Herald article for contacts in the association! Read more!

Violent weekend in Dade

To say that this was a bloody weekend for Miami-Dade would be an understatement. Reports were released this morning that 7 lives were lost by gunfire, ranging from nightclubs to the streets of Liberty City all the way to Miami Gardens...in one weekend!

Our community better get its head out of the sand very soon before there is no future generation left. It is probably true that Miami is having a "big city moment" with the rise in violence. But the gunfire is overwhelmingly taking the lives of young Black men and women on a daily basis. And although showing solidarity through marches in the street is great, we have got to put our heads together, put our EGOS ASIDE (leaders) and find some real solutions to a streak that threatens to wipe out our community and a future generation. Read more!

Victor Carmona, 26, killed at Merengue House

Very sad news for my alma mater, Miami Senior High School, and all who knew Victor. The 26 year old was killed after trying to break up a fight and defend his friend involved in it. Check out the Miami Herald report HERE.

Victor was on the Miami High baseball team during his years there, and was know for his energy and constant jokes. He is survived by his mother, sister, and three young children. Read more!

Let's Talk about "over the bridge" RICK ROSS! REALLY...

Natasha Calixte, 14, killed in Opa Locka

Otissha Burnett, 17, killed in NW Miami-Dade

Sherdavia Jenkins, 9, killed in Liberty City

Zykarious Cadillon, 18 months, killed in Little River

...and the numerous other unnamed young people killed on the streets of Miami


Our version isn't as entertaining as his DVD sounds...sorry (Source)

Readers, please note: There is NOTHING glorious, glamorous, fabulous, or honorable about the life of known and proud dope dealers and killers. We encourage those with the resources to use them to be apart of the solutions, not an addition to the problems...there are better ways to spend money and movie studio time. In your supposed quest to "keep it real" about Miami, if you must tell the truth, please include the WHOLE truth.

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Coconut Grove's Will Johnson passes at 55

I just received an email about the news of Will Johnson's passing this past weekend. I always remember Mr. Johnson or his wife, Miok Johnson, coming in to my first job at a local market for a few things. Mr. Johnson was a great voice for West Coconut Grove for many years, and he will be missed dearly. The information for memorial services are below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 5, 2008

Commission Aide Will Johnson Mourned Will Johnson, Aide to Commissioner Carlos A. Gimenez, passed away on March 2, 2008. He was 55 years old. Born and raised in Coconut Grove, Mr. Johnson graduated from Coral Gables Senior High School in 1971. Upon retiring from military service Mr. Johnson returned home to Coconut Grove describing it as his “calling,” according to his wife, Miok. He was known as a passionate activist for issues in the Village West and Coconut Grove community.
Mr. Johnson was a past President of the Homeowners and Tenants Association of Village West (HOATA), a former member of the Coconut Grove Village Council representing Village West, and a St. Albans Board Member. Recently, he was involved in the Bayshore Drive Beautification project, which was finalized before the Super Bowl hosted by Greater Miami in 2007. Additionally, Mr. Johnson was a major force behind the Grand Avenue Streetscape Beautification Program, and the construction and remodeling of Virrick Gym and Park. “Will had a passion for his community that transcended all lines and boundaries. He was a tireless advocate for children, the homeless, senior citizens, economic development and the jobless”, said Commissioner Gimenez.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2008, at Elizabeth Virrick Park, 3255 Plaza Street in Coconut Grove, at 2:00 p.m.
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Florida's eye on Election '08: Featured Post

Who is the Hypocrite? Florida and Michigan democratic voters, the democratic presidential candidates or is it the DNC? We will soon see. This is the year of the RAT, how poignant is that? It’s a presidential election year and the Florida democrats are this year’s “King Rat.” Rats are rodents most of us in this country find disgusting; I find Florida democ-rats disgusting hypocrites in this 2008 presidential primary. Just for the record, this is not a newfound disgust with the democ-rats, I was the democratic nominee in 1992 for the Florida House of Representatives, District 113. However, I didn’t have the blessing of the Florida democratic party because I refused the Miami Dade County party’s offer to help me raise $10,000 to run in another Florida house race and not challenge their favorite Republican in House District 113. Go figure; that is when I learned the very important lesson that a citizens right to vote, and/or a candidate’s right to file and run for office is totally predicated on the whims and rules of the Party and its leadership. It’s their Party, and you either dance to the music or you have no right to participate.

The sad fact is that the voters in Florida and Michigan, or any other state in the union for that matter, are under the illusion that their votes should count once the DNC (major parties) lays down the law by stripping them of their delegates or any other damnation the “party gods” hand down. Americans somehow thinking they have voting rights shows the lack of understanding of this “two political party” monopoly. The fact that all the candidates in the Democratic presidential primary agreed with the DNC as to Florida and Michigan delegates, and now one candidate needs those votes to count because the nomination was no longer a cake walk, after South Carolina, shows something about a person’s character, which speaks volumes.

A candidate that would have challenged the DNC on day one, and said that to disenfranchise the rights of Florida and Michigan voters would now have the moral high ground. Likewise, anyone of the Democratic candidates reversing their position at this point is the worst kind of RAT. This would be a true democ-Rat that would change the rules in the fourth quarter. Remember when the Republicans, (Republ-I-cans), "stole" an election, counterparts played fast and loose in 2000; only a hypocrite democrat would say that was a different story.

My position is this, if any citizens voting rights have been violated, it’s the citizens not pledging their souls to the two major parties. As an Independent in the state of Florida; Michigan independents are disenfranchised as in most States. But in this republic democratic system there is no consistent voting system, that was vary clear in 2002. Therefore, in a strange twist of fate, my brother Independents’ in Texas and Ohio can cast a vote for the candidates of their choice. Independents have no right to vote in Florida’s primary. I want to be first in line to file suit as an Independent for the violation of my 14^th amendment rights (Voters Rights Act 1965). Never trust a RAT. Who knows what’s next.

By Danny Couch ©

Danny Couch is a long-time social and political activist in Miami-Dade County. He is an advocate of and for the people, and has served in several public service capacities, including running for public office. He is a recognized voice for the rights of people in his native community, West Coconut Grove, and has held leadership positions throughout the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County. He resides in Miami with his family and continues to speak, write and work on relevant social issues throughout Miami-Dade and the world.
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