Kings Meadow & Sugarwood Parks Public Meeting

Team Zapata and the Miami-Dade Parks Department invite you to the Kings Meadow and Sugarwood Park Public Meeting next Wednesday, September 28th at Claude Pepper Elementary School beginning at 6:30pm.


Show your park pride and let your voice be heard! 
Upcoming Events
Download the West End Living App
Thursday, September 22nd
Budget Hearing
5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 27th
South MAC Meeting
6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 28th
Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting
7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 28th
Kings Meadow and Sugarwood Parks Public Meeting
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Friday, October 13th
Greater Kendall Business Association Expo
3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Friday, October 14th
West End Family Movie Night
Screening 'Goosebumps'
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.






The West End has its own app!

Download the FREE 'West End Living' App on iPhone or Android to view community events, local businesses, schedule a waste pick up, report a pothole, illegal dumping, and more!

Do you own a business in the West End? Contact us and find out how it can be added to the app!

Public Space Challenge Winners
The list is out! Meet the 19 winners of the 2016 Public Space Challenge including the 4 winners from the West End!  

From water game fiestas, mini parklets to shade structures,  these initiatives will make our local parks, streets and open areas safer, more beautiful and accessible for everyone.

Click here to see the full list of winners.

Looking Back

Last week, Team Zapata visited multiple elementary schools' open houses including:

  • Christina M. Eve Elementary
  • Wesley Matthews Elementary
  • Kingdom Academy
  • Oliver Hoover Elementary
  • Dr. Gilbert L. Porter Elementary
  • Jorge Mas Canosa Middle School

Thanks to all of the principals for opening their doors to us!

Last Saturday, Miami-Dade Fire Station #36 opened its doors to the community.

Families throughout the West End had a chance to meet their local fire fighters and enjoyed a free BBQ thanks to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

On Friday, September 9th, Team Zapata hosted Art After Dark at The Residences of United HomeCare in the West End.

Attendants enjoyed a gallery of featured art from local artists as well as music from a local band and food, compliments of Little Louie's Italian Kitchen.
Halloween Bash



Come out to their Kendall-Hammocks location at 10365 Hammocks Boulevard from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 29th to take part in games, a costume contest, haunted house, self-defense class and much more.

The event will be $30 which includes everything plus soda and pizza.
Utility Box Painting



Have you seen any peeling or chipped utility boxes that are in need of a fresh paint job?

Let us know!

Contact our office at zapata@miamidade.gov or give us a call at 305.375.5511 with the location of the utility box.
Little Free Libraries

"Little Free Libraries" have come to the West End!

The international movement encourages young people to “check out” a book and leave one behind. Each box features colorful designs painted and decorated by local seniors and interns.

The “Little Free Libraries” are located at Dr. Manuel Barreiro, Christina M. Eve, Christina M. Eve PLC, Claude Pepper and Gilbert Porter Elementary schools.

Beautification

The wall on SW 56th Street and SW 148th Court is finished being painted and looks dazzling with a fresh coat!

There will soon be more freshly painted walls brought to you by Team Zapata.




The wall on SW 18th Street between SW 131st Avenue and SW 132nd Avenue is done being an eyesore!

The new coat of paint keeps the West End looking clean and beautiful.


We have added greenery around the West District Police Station including red fountain grass, cocoplum, green island ficus, and silver buttonwood to brighten up the landscaping.

The West District Police Station now looks more beautiful than ever!


Have you noticed?

Team Zapata has been planting even more trees on Kendall Drive! The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of September at which time SW 88th Street will be a shadier, more scenic drive.





Our tree count continues to grow!

Team Zapata has recently enhanced the West End by planting Crabwood trees along Coral Way west of 127th Avenue.
In order to make the West End consistently beautiful and get rid of graffiti and multiple colored paint, we are painting more walls!

The walls listed below are next in line to receive a fresh coat of paint.

1. 137th Ave between 28th Terrace and 30th Street.
2. East of 18th Street and South of 132nd Avenue
3. The North West corner of 104th Street and 142nd Avenue.

St. Jude Walk/Run
Walk to fight cancer and help St. Jude reach their goal of $3,500!

Register for the St. Jude 5k taking place on Saturday, September 24th. The walk/run starts promptly at 7:30 a.m. at Tamiami Park . There is a $20 fee for participants 6+.

Click here to register.
Zoo Run 5K and Zoo Kids Dash


Come out for The Felix Sabates Chevrolet and Cadillac ZooRun5K  and the Kidz Medical Services  ZooKidsDash.

The race starts at 7:30 a.m. on October 2nd, at Zoo Miami, but make sure you register before then!
Important Voting Dates

The General Election takes place on Tuesday, November 8th. The deadline to register for to vote for that election is on Tuesday, October 11th, and the deadline to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot is on Wednesday, November 2nd. Early voting for the General Election is available from Monday, October 24th, to Sunday, November 6th.

For more information, click here.

High Efficiency Fixture Rebates

Tap into savings with a high efficiency toilet, showerhead and/or faucet rebate. You can not only save water, but energy also!

Single-family residential property owners or tenants, as well as multi-family property owners, may receive a $50 rebate with the purchase and installation of a WaterSense-certified high-efficiency toilet.

A multifamily property is eligible to receive a maximum of 50 toilet rebates per fiscal year (October 1 to September 30).

For more information, click here .
Interns Wanted
My office is seeking high school and college interns to help out in our office!

If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact the office at (305) 375-5511
PAMM's Inside Out Exhibit





The next installation of the Perez Art Museum Miami's Inside Out Art Exhibit is up!

Visit Westwind Lakes Park to view 9 new pieces of art from the PAMM.
Drain and Cover
Do your part in the fight against mosquitoes!

Make sure you drain standing water, empty and clean birdbaths and pets' water bowls, protect any boats or vehicles with tarps and maintain pool water balance.

For information on mosquito control and aerial spraying, click here.

For Zika contact information, click here.
Legislative Activity
On Tuesday, September 20th, the Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution designating the bike path on SW 157th Avenue as the "Eduardo Hernandez Memorial Trail".

Eduardo Hernandez was tragically killed on April 13th, 2014 by a drunk driver when he stopped to provide assistance at the scene of an accident at the intersection of SW 56th Street and SW 157th Avenue.

The designation of the bike path pays tribute to a good Samaritan who lost his life trying to help complete strangers. It will serve as a testament to the kind of person we should all aspire to be and a reminder of the devastating consequences that drunk driving can have.
Your Dollars at Work
There is a drainage improvement project on SW 80th Street from SW 149th Avenue to SW 154th Avenue. Work includes construction and installation of drainage structures, french drains, grading, sodding, and roadway restoration including construction of concrete curb and gutters, swale blocks and sidewalks. Construction is scheduled to begin in October and is anticipated to be completed in April 2017.

There is also a  roadway construction project on SW 56th Street from SW 132nd Avenue to SW 137th Avenue. Work includes milling and resurfacing, construction of ADA ramps and connectors, adjustment of valve boxes and manholes, pavement markings and signage. Construction is anticipated to be completed by November 2016.
WE Buy Local
Nancy Barrios is the proud owner of Tax Financial Center, a business that offers tax, insurance and notary services, as well as monthly bookkeeping for small businesses. Nancy is planning to expand to offer immigration services also.

As a business owner in the West End, Nancy has become very involved in the community. She uses local tech companies whenever she has a technological issue and insures many local businesses while offering them monthly book keeping.

She chose to open up shop in the West End because she has been familiar with the area since she was a child. More importantly however, she identifies the West End as a growing area with growing needs.

Nancy is offering a 10% discount on all products for those that reference the West End Newsletter! Be sure to stop by her storefront at 11865 SW 26th Street, Suite #C34-2 to take advantage of this special offer.

Visit their website to learn more or call (305) 200-5513 for more information.

For more information on how buying local helps your community click here.
Charity of the Month
At Art For Good, co-founders Marcela Noriega and Suzanne Moe believe art can help integrate the community, build self-esteem and promote mutual respect. They recognize art and creative thinking as valuable tools to find solutions to social problems in our community and to benefit society.

They invite and inspire people to be agents of positive change by staging fun art events and activities which bring the community together for the common good. These events help raise awareness and funds for Art For Good projects and programs.

To learn more or offer a donation, click  here
Splash Pad Hours
The splash pad at Westwind Lakes Park will be open from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. all weekends and holidays and from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on weekdays. 

It will remain open this year until further notice and depending on weather.
School Calendar
Are you and your kids ready for the new school year?

Click  here   to view the 2016-2017 school year calendar.
Be Prepared
Are you prepared in the event of an emergency? 

As you may have heard, there is a tropical disturbance that may be headed our way this weekend. 

Know how to prepare and stay safe during and after a storm  here
Help Beautify our West End!


Spotted something unsightly in your neighborhood?
Let us know by completing  this  short two question form!
West End Libraries
Bulky Trash Pickup
Did you know that you can request a bulky waste pick-up  online? 
Click here to submit a request !
Assistance Programs
Cuban Adjustment & Immigration Assistance

Low-cost immigration  services are now available  at my office to assist with  such issues as asylum,  citizenship and residence  petitions or if you are a  Cuban native in need of  permanent residence.

Appointments are required.
EVERY Wednesday
10 AM - 5 PM
Office of Commissioner Juan C. Zapata
Suite 203

Call
305-416-7902 or 786-346-3828 to schedule an appointment.

Citizenship Drive & Legal Clinic

Your Commissioner Juan C. Zapata proudly announces the monthly Citizenship Drive and Legal Clinics for free help on filling out immigration paperwork and free assistance with legal issues.


Saturday, October 1st
10 AM - 2 PM

We completed 18 citizenships last month and 918 since 2014.
Kendale Lakes Library

For more information, please call 305-416-7902.
Community Incubator 
 
8785 SW 165 Avenue
Suite 203
Miami, Florida 33193
MIAMI-DADE COMMISSIONER
JUAN C. ZAPATA
WEST KENDALL + WEST DADE =
THE WEST END

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff at 305-375-5511.

Honored to serve,
Juan C. Zapata

Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners
District 11