Thursday, October 29, 2020 |
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Housing Assistance for Residents
The City of Miami Beach Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to expand assistance for residents who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 and are at risk of losing their housing.
The city has already helped 229 Miami Beach households through four rental assistance programs totaling $610,172.68 since the start of the pandemic.
Much of the funding for the program comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Qualifying Miami Beach residents earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income who are in danger of becoming homeless for failing to pay their monthly rent, mortgage or utilities are eligible to apply. Under program guidelines, assistance will be payable directly to the landlord, mortgage holder or utility upon verification of eligibility and financial circumstances.
The assistance program is open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of Miami Beach who live in households earning less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or $51,200 per year for a household of one. Applicants must be able to demonstrate need as a result of income loss related to COVID-19 and housing payments must have been current as of March 2020. Applicants can register online via the city’s COVID-19 help portal here.
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COVID-19 Testing
Drive-thru COVID-19 testing has resumed at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Drive-thru COVID-19 testing hours for the self PCR test with nurse assistance is from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily by appointment (click here). The site allows you to view how many tests are still available per day.
The mobile walk-up COVID-19 testing unit will continue to provide the rapid and PCR tests. Walk-up COVID-19 testing hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, no appointment necessary.
The Miami Beach Convention Center testing site is located on 17 Street and Convention Center Drive. Visit our 'Testing' tab to view detailed information on all testing locations.
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Veterans Day Celebration
We are calling for all residents that have served in our nation's armed forces to send in photographs or short video clips sharing their memories of service to incorporate in the city's special Veterans Day tribute video.
Subject line: Virtual Veterans Day
By: Tomorrow, October 30
Please be sure to identify the Miami Beach resident who served.
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Virtual Culture
The Halloween tradition continues! Magic City Opera presents the 4th Annual Hansel and Gretel: A Halloween Opera as part of the Miami Beach Arts in the Parks, funded by the Cultural Arts Council. This event will be live streamed from the North Beach Bandshell on Saturday, October 31, starting at 6 p.m.
Based on the beloved children's story, Hansel and Gretel: The Opera has been delighting family audiences around the world since its premiere in 1893! Join Magic City Opera on this magical journey into this timeless fairy tale. To make sure you get in on the fun, be sure to dress up in your Halloween costumes while you watch the show.
SoundScape Cinema Series is BACK!
Bring a blanket, pack a picnic basket and arrive early to get a front row lawn seat as you enjoy cinema on the beautifully manicured grounds of SoundScape Park. Entering its eleventh season, the Cinema Series at SoundScape Park features free weekly movies projected onto the 7,000 square foot projection wall of the New World Center.
The seven-month series begins Wednesday, November 4 at 8 p.m. with Swing Vote (2008), a comedy film about an entire U.S. presidential election determined by the vote of one man. View the full schedule of movies for the season here.
Learn more and view other happenings in our weekly Arts and Culture guide, here.
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Drive-thru Food Distribution
Commissioner David Richardson's office in partnership with Feeding South Florida is hosting a food distribution on Saturday, October 31 in South Beach.
Saturday, October 31
9 AM - 11 AM
2100 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
The food distribution is on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last. Please remain in your car and open the trunk when it's your turn in line.
If you do not have a car and would like to qualify for food assistance, please call or register online. Phone: 305.604.CITY (2489) or www.miamibeachfl.gov/food
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Election Season
Early voting continues this weekend daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will end on November 1. Reminder, you can vote early at any Miami-Dade County Early Voting site, including the two sites located in the City of Miami Beach:
- Miami Beach City Hall (First Floor Conference Room) | 1700 Convention Center Drive
- North Shore Branch Library | 7501 Collins Avenue
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Visit our City webpage for more information on the November 3 General Election and view our bilingual Voter's Guide with information on the six city questions that will be on the ballot.
It is our civic duty to vote in not just national elections but, on the local level too! Make your voices be heard and vote.
Citi Bike is offering FREE rides to the polls on Election Day, November 3.
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*NEW* Urban Forestry Master Plan
Good news for all tree lovers! This month, the Mayor and Commission unanimously adopted the city’s first Urban Forestry Master Plan.
What does this mean for you? The plan provides an in-depth look at what makes our urban forest so unique and includes a wealth of information regarding proper tree selection and planting methods specific to our area.
Property owners and businesses can use the plan as guidance for the enhancement of their own tree canopy. A healthy urban forest improves air quality, lowers temperatures, and can even help homeowners save money on electricity. For more information on the masterplan, please visit www.mbrisingabove.com/trees.
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Miami Beach Pre-K Program Information Session
The City of Miami Beach is launching a Prekindergarten (Pre-K) Pilot Program for the 2021-2022 School year that will provide eligible Miami Beach Families with a Pre-K Stipend of $2,700.
*Eligible Pre-K Providers are invited to partake in one of the information sessions being offered on how your organization can register to participate in this program.
- Friday, October 30 | 11 AM
- Thursday, November 5 | 11 AM
Zoom webinar link: https://bit.ly/2T91dqK
Meeting ID: 574 796 9101 | Passcode: 2oyB5P
Or by telephone: 929.205.6099 | Passcode: 401682
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Drive-Thru Trick or Treat
Jump in your vehicle with your little supermans or witches and make your way over to the Scott Rakow Youth Center for our drive-thru trick or treating and haunted house avenue!
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Drive-thru Trick or Treat Street & Haunted Avenue |Saturday, October 31 from 3:30 PM - 5 PM & 6:30 PM - 8 PM |Scott Rakow Youth Center, $5 per vehicle
- From 3:30 PM - 5 PM (for children ages 3-5): Journey through our drive-thru "Trick or Treat Street" at the Scott Rakow Youth Center parking lot where children ages 3-5 will be greeted by their favorite characters and receive candy.
- From 6:30 PM - 8 PM (for children ages 6-17): Enter if you dare! Wear your favorite scary costume as you drive through our Haunted Avenue at the Scott Rakow Youth Center parking lot.
Limited tickets are available for the drive-in movie and the drive-thru trick or treating events, they're being sold at: register.miamibeachparks.com.
View all events and share with your friends on Facebook here.
Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses. Above we've created several safer, alternative ways to participate! Learn more from the CDC here.
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Mobility Week
The Florida Department of Transportation is hosting Mobility Week beginning October 30 - November 6 and will be hosting a series of Multimodal Transportation Workshops featuring expert panels that will explore how agencies and industries are responding to COVID-19 and implementing strategies to ensure long-term resiliency.
Each session will consist of a series of presentations coupled with a live Q&A session, where participants will hear from local and national leaders regarding implementation of innovative practices and policies affecting transportation in a post-pandemic world.
The Miami Beach Transportation Department will be speaking during the Monday, November 2 workshop at 11:30 a.m. on 'Rethinking the Transportation Infrastructure and Supportive Policies Post-Pandemic', click here to register for their seminar and click here to learn more about Mobility Week.
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Slow Streets Program Walk Through
Join Commissioner Mark Samuelian and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins on Monday, November 2 at 5 p.m. for a walk through of the Slow Streets Pilot program.
Monday, November 2
5 PM
Meeting point: 13 Street and Meridian Avenue
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Drive-In Movie
Enjoy a Halloween drive-in movie with your family and friends. Get in the spirit and also participate in our Halloween Car Decorating Contest. Those with the most creative decorations will be judged and prizes will be given.
Monday, November 2, movie begins at 7 PM, parking lot opens at 6:15 PM.
Located at the Convention Center Roof Top Parking at Washington Avenue and 20 Street, $10 per vehicle. This is a rescheduled event, tickets previously purchased will be honored. Tickets will not be sold at the event, pre-sale tickets are available online only here.
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Design Review Board Meeting
There will be Design Review Board meeting hosted virtually Tuesday, November 3 at 9 a.m. via Zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86802241520 The meeting will be streamed live on MBTV Channel 660 on Atlantic Broadband or 99 on AT&T U-Verse.
How to provide spoken public comment during the meeting: The public may provide spoken comment by dialing telephone 929.205.6099 or 888.475.4499 (toll free). The Webinar ID is 868 0224 1520. Press *9 to raise a hand to be placed in queue to speak.
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Miami Beach Virtual Salsa Festival
Commissioner Michael Gongora will be hosting the virtual Miami Beach Salsa festival on Saturday, November 7.
Saturday, November 7
7:30 PM
Melina Almodóvar, known as “La Muñeca de la Salsa”, will present the seventh edition of the virtual festival from our very own North Beach Bandshell. Learn more about the event here and watch live on Melina's Facebook page here.
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South Beach Trolley Service Update
In an effort to reduce wait times and improve reliability and frequency of the South Beach Trolley service, the city has developed a new service plan for this route in collaboration with the affected communities.
The service plan was approved by the City Commission on October 14, 2020 and will go in effect the when the trolley service resumes. Over the coming weeks, we will be removing trolley signage and bus benches along 11 Street.
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Stay Informed
Visit our dedicated, city-related coronavirus webpage at www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information, including important resources, impacts to city services and more.
Our city hotline at 305.604.CITY (2489) is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. You can also email your questions to MBCovid@miamibeachfl.gov. Or connect with us through social media via email, Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and via text message (text MBAlert to 888777).
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