One down...

...more investigations to go. Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones (yes, her again) must pay a $500 fine after pleading no-contest for not disclosing a $46,000 balance she has for legal fees. The law firm of Lydecker, Lee, Behar, Berger & de Zayas was representing Spence-Jones for another ethics investigation, according to the report in yesterday's Miami Herald.

You all are welcomed to head over to the report and check out for yourself the full breakdown of allegations against her. You do vote for these folks ya know.

If in fact we are in control of who represents our communities, which is VERY much questionable, shouldn't there be some concerns about the dealings of those who we elect now that all of this dirty laundry is coming out? IF (that's an if we need to examine) we are going to call these individuals our leaders, the next question is where exactly are they leading us? Do we want to continue to be led this way? How can we constantly criticize and complain about the outward enemy when it seems as though we are allowing our own to destroy from within?

Just some questions to throw out there as this drama unfolds...

(Photo source: Miami Sun Post) Read more!

Chief Adderley makes history in Lauderdale

Ft. Lauderdale named its first Black police chief in the city's history just a day after the former chief resigned after 30 years on the force. Frank Adderley, who prior to the appointment served as Assistant Chief for the Lauderdale PD, has been with the police department for 28 years. And as some wish all officers in their area were, he is a native of the community he has served, being from around the Sistrunk way. This is hopefully the right combination to aid the department in striving to protect and serve the community, as well as bridging that gap between the two (something we need more of).

Congratulations to Chief Adderley and the Ft. Lauderdale Police Department for making history in South Florida. Check out the full report in today's Miami Herald HERE. Read more!

Enter malls/condos, Exit Grovites

Well it looks like the building ball is continuing to roll it's million-dollar self on down Grand Avenue! The report in The Miami Herald details the approval from a City Advisory Board for land-use changes that pave the way for more commercial development. As a native of West Village Coconut Grove (aka the Black side, let's not get PC), I don't seem as enthused. Especially when it includes risking a majority of my fellow Grovites having to pick up their lives and move to make room for "new-comers." Let's not be fooled, we know what this is about. Gentrification under the guise of "economic development" that does not have the residents in mind is what it is looking like to me, but I could be wrong.

This is partly our fault in West Coconut Grove as well. I mean, how long have these plans been on the table? And we don't show our outrage, or demand provisions be made for native residents until AFTER proposals are already on the table ready to be taken to a vote. It's called being reactive, a common response in our communities in the past decade. We act as if we have nothing to offer this community, or even worse, that we could care less what happens to our historic neighborhood! It just may be too late to stop the fire, as every year I ride through the "backstreets" or visit family on Day Ave, Elizabeth St, or ride down Grand I see less of our faces. But there should always be hope and a strategy on how to make change work for us. I am not talking standing in the way of economic progress in our area. However, we must make sure that the plans include those of us and our families. Without us, and the historic foundation our families laid (contrary to the LIES told about our community), Coconut Grove would not exist. Therefore, all Grovites get your G.U.T.S. back and stand firm in the belief that you want what is best for your community, but you will not be moved just to see that it happens! That means every planning and zoning meeting, every Town Hall, every homeowners and tenants gathering, YOUR face needs to be in the place! Read more!

It's been a long time coming...

Da Mayor of Dade County hip-hop, Trick Daddy has officially severed ties with Slip-N-Slide Records. And according to an interview with SOHH.com, he's got a new indie deal and is ready to put his group The Dunk Ryders (Iceberg, Soup and Lil Fella) on the scene.

The joint venture is with none other than...Cash Money Records. This really doesn't surprise me as much it does many people. We've seen CMR's presence on the music scene since some of the members' relocation to South Beach. The new move for Trick seems to be on the independent route that many artists are finally starting to take, which is always a good thing.

Click HERE to read the entire interview (and the weird comments from people, lol).

Best wishes to Trick in all future endeavors! Read more!

It's here again...

...Memorial Day Weekend on Miami Beach that is! Often called "Urban Beach Weekend" by many tourists and promoters, this time of year is one of the most populous and busy weekends in our County.

Please have fun! Be safe!!!!! Many altercations can be avoided by just having yourself a good time, you have nothing to prove, and frankly we native Miamians have nothing to prove either...your plan should be to come to Miami, enjoy yourself, and ARRIVE BACK HOME!

*Special note: in past years, there have been MANY instances of wrongful arrests, racial profiling and/or mishandling of situations by the various security firms and police departments that are patrolling during this weekend. Please keep in mind that authorities are there for a reason, this is not a lawless County. HOWEVER, your rights must be respected. If you have any questions or concerns with treatment you received, please contact that ACLU Miami Chapter at 786-363-2700 or click HERE to send them an email. There will also be volunteers with the ACLU Miami and other organizations to monitor treatment of visitors as well, they can assist you in obtaining further information.

Have fun everyone! Read more!

Senator Obama stops in Broward!

The Tampa rally was on point! Check out the photos HERE for a snippet. And now, Senator Barack Obama heads to South Florida, continuing to campaign throughout the state.

The breakdown...
WHEN: FRIDAY, May 23rd (that's TOMORROW FOLKS!)
WHERE: BankAtlantic Center, One Panther Pkwy, Sunrise, FL 33323
TIME: Doors open at 2pm, Program begins at 3:30 (Suggestion: GET THERE EARLY! Supporters were at the St. Pete Times Forum at the crack of dawn to get in that door, so seriously...be an early bird)
COST: For the FREE! Tickets are not required, but organizers strongly advise that guests RSVP. Make your reservation HERE!
SECURITY!: Do NOT bring bags into the Center. Signs or banners are NOT permitted inside.

Special shout out to Ms. Vanessa over at Blogging Black Miami for the info! Read more!

On the Scene: Miami's Hip Hop Soda Shop set for Grand Opening

Ok, so I got word that the HipHopSodaShop franchise has a new home in Miami-Dade The Grand Opening festivities all go down TOMORROW, and it's for the FREE! Check out what's in store:

"Festivities for the launch of the Miami HipHopSodaShop on Thursday are scheduled to begin at 6:00pm and will include a grand opening ceremony where hip-hop celebrities Fat Joe, Fabolous, DJ Khaled, and DJ Q45 and The Infamous Mad Linx from BET's Rap City will walk the red carpet. There will be an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, an Xbox 360 on-line video gaming tournament and WEDR-FM 99 JAMZ Radio will be broadcasting live. Grand opening events are free and open to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. A VIP pre-opening party is scheduled for Wednesday night, and on each night of the week of the grand opening, there will be VIP receptions celebrating the evolution of Miami hip-hop. The Miami HipHopSodaShop launch is a celebration of the evolution, flava, and cultural genius of Miami hip-hop. The grand opening will pay tribute to the artistic talent of Miami hip-hop artists Rick Ross, Trina, Trick Daddy, Grind Mode, Flo-Rida, Luther Campbell, Ball Greasy, Gorilla Tech, Brisko, Bizzle, DJ Chipman, DJ Khaled, DJ Entyce, and DJ Ali."

The breakdown...
WHAT: Grand Opening of the Miami HipHopSodaShop
WHEN: Thursday, May 22nd
WHERE: 2710 NW 167th Street, Miami Gardens
TIME: 6pm (My people, be punctual!)
*Click HERE to check out the website

Big shout out to Davo of UrbanEyes Music & Marketing for the info! Read more!

Miami's first Black news anchor to retire

Dwight Lauderdale of Channel 10 Local News Miami will sign off on May 21st after 32 years on the air. Mr. Lauderdale became South Florida's first Black news anchor when he joined Channel 10 in 1976. He has been a mainstay in community news for Miami-Dade his entire time on the air.

Channel 10 is asking all viewers to tune in on May 21st to the 11pm news for Mr. Lauderdale's last broadcast. Check out Mr. Lauderdale's full bio and post a comment of well wishes to him HERE.

Thank you Mr. Lauderdale for your years of service to South Florida! Read more!

Congrats Edison Park Chess Team!

Big shout out to the Edison Park Elementary Raider Rooks Chess team for their big accomplishment last weekend. The team, tied for first place at the National Elementary Championship, is the only inner-city school from our area to compete. This is great news for our kids, it's always good to see the positives in our communities!

Click HERE for the entire report in today's Miami Herald Read more!

Inspiring: Spotlight on Perrine Pastor

A touching feature on a positive figure in our community for a change! How odd that the comments are at an extreme minimum when there's no scandal, spin or money trail story on one of our leaders? Hmm
Anyway, Check out the Miami Herald's piece on Mt. Sinai's senior pastor, Rev. R.W. Bell. This story was so touching that I had to post!

Click HERE for the report on Rev. Bell Read more!