The Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA) is pleased to present its most recent “Art on the Plaza” commission, “We’re All in This Together” by Miami-based collaborative Nice’n Easy from July 9 through Aug. 22. “We’re All in This Together” attempts to navigate the line from when a mystic truth becomes a cliché. For this playful yet thought-provoking temporary public installation, MOCA’s front fountain is cleverly transformed to resemble a swimming pool with the addition of a ladder, bright, kitschy pool toys and human characters. Disrupting the pleasant scene, each of the configurations of objects introduce an element of the uncanny; what at first seems familiar to the eye reveals something unexpected, humorous, and at times, dark. The overall installation incorporates several individual artworks: in Life Saver, a single hand protrudes alarmingly from the water, ringed by a neon pink inner tube. The hand that seems to be reaching for help may be unaware of how close the floatation device actually is, or is in blatant disregard of its potential to help. Viewers are challenged to grapple with this life-or-death situation – but are also reminded of the humorous internet meme Drowning High Five (circulated widely by Russian artist Gudim during the COVID-19 pandemic). In this meme, a hand emerging from water is met with a high-five and the caption “We’re all in this together,” rather than rescue. The drowning hand then slips below the waves in a tragic-comic expression of misguided optimism and abject denial of reality. Additional pieces, Tunnel of Love, Soft Totem, Head in the Sand, But…, and Just Hang in There further trouble these notions of escapism, surrender, and disavowal. Nice’n Easy is a collaborative endeavor by artists Allison Matherly and Jeffrey Noble. Focused on creating immersive mixed media installations, Nice’n Easy develops a visually cohesive subtropical vernacular with their material choices and use of repeated motifs. Often referencing themes of self-help, recovery, and interpersonal dependency, their fabricated environments utilize romantic tropes to enhance the collective emotive truisms between participants and create a platform for intimate exchange. To commemorate the activation, MOCA is hosting the free, virtual public programming event, “Conversations at MOCA: Nice’n Easy,” on Wednesday, July 14 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Nice'n Easy artists Allison Matherly and Jeffrey Noble will be joined by “Art on the Plaza” project curator Amanda Sanfilippo Long as they discuss their humorous and surprising site-specific intervention into the MOCA pond. The conversation will be available on mocanomi.org following the event. MOCA’s “Art on the Plaza” program is made possible with major support from the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of MOCA

Oolite Arts announced today the return of its Acquisitions program. As part of this year’s program, seven-Miami based artists were selected to have their work displayed at Oolite Arts new campus in the City of Miami when it opens in 2023 and then donated to museums across the country and internationally. The novel program was launched last year by Oolite’s Board of Directors in an effort to ensure that more Miami artists are represented in major collections, in turn helping to advance their careers. “Our Acquisitions program comes at a pivotal turning point for Miami, which in recent years has experienced a dramatic cultural arts shift,” said Dennis Scholl, president, and CEO of Oolite Arts. “To be able to see more works by Miami-based artists in museums around the globe will be an incredible achievement for our city and art community. We’re excited to amplify these local artists’ work on a national and international level, while also helping sustain them during these unprecedented times.” Oolite Arts' exhibits currently on view: Diverse Networks (Now through July 4, 202) Natural Transcendence (Now through August 22, 2021) Mark Fleuridor: Black Castor Oil (Now through September 24, 2021) Mutual Dynamics: Ena Marrero (Now through July 25, 2021) Concepts: Demo(s): Levels&Bosses Leo Castañeda (Now through August 1, 2021) From One Sea: Amanda Bradley (Now through September 12, 2021) The 2021 Acquisitions artists include Cara Despain, Susan Lee-Chun, Nicolas Lobo, Reginald O’Neal, Marielle Plaisir, Jamilah Sabur, and Antonia Wright. A jury comprised of Miami and nationally-based curators, Tami Katz-Freiman, Omar Lopez-Chahoud, and Larry Ossei-Mensah, helped select the diverse group of both established and emerging artists from a pool of more than 500 artists who are current residents or alumni of Oolite’s programs. Oolite Arts purchases new works each year through its Acquisitions program. “I am truly honored to have my work acquired by Oolite Arts, as they continue to support artists in our community,” said O’Neal. “The acquisition program is another step taken by Oolite to spread Miami's voice, and I'm ecstatic to be included.” The collection features diversity across a number of art mediums including sculpture, painting, video, and installation, and is one of several ways Oolite Arts has further invested in Miami-based artists. Other initiatives include The Ellies, Miami’s visual arts awards, which will have invested a share of $2 million to over 150 individual artists and art teachers in Miami-Dade County by the end of this year. During the pandemic, Oolite Arts set up a $225,000 artist relief fund and the Close Quarters film festival, which commissioned filmmakers to make new works in quarantine. Additionally, Oolite Arts supports Miami artists through its various residencies including Home + Away, and partnerships with cultural organizations across South Florida to exhibit artists’ work. About Oolite Arts Oolite Arts helps Miami-based artists advance their careers and inspires the cultural community to engage with their work. Established in 1984, Oolite Arts is both a community and a resource, providing visual artists with the studio space, exhibition opportunities, and financial support they need to experiment, grow and enrich the city. Through its educational programming, Oolite Arts help its audiences learn about contemporary art and develop their own artistic skills. For more information, visit oolitearts.org. Also, follow @OoliteArts on social media. Oolite Arts’ 2021 Acquisitions Artists Antonia Wright Under the water was sand, then rocks, miles of rocks, then fire Single-channel video, RT: 2:20, Edition of 5 + 2 AP Cara Despain Reagan Library Carbon residue from charred debris from Simi Valley, CA, on muslin 6 x 7,5’ Susan Lee-Chun Untitled (Apparatus, #1) Single­-channel video, RT: 2:00, Edition of 3 Nicolas Lobo Napalm stone (bronzer version #1) Napalm, play-dough, terrazzo, spray bronzer 20 x 20 x 72” Reginald O’Neal (Sample image, commissioned work in progress) Untitled COMMISSION Oil on canvas 60 x 80” Marielle Plaisir N. Simone, In the Malediction of Cham series Inks, Marker, gold thread, Swarovski stones on Arches paper 14 lb 30 x 22” Marielle Plaisir M. Ali, In the Malediction of Cham series Inks, Marker, gold thread, Swarovski stones on Arches paper 14 lb 30 x 22” Jamilah Sabur Mnemodic alphabet (V/Viderais) Neon, transformer, print on cotton rag, Honduran mahogany, enamel 44 x 54 x 3” By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Oolite Arts

Continuum, South Florida’s premier resort-style oceanfront condominium residences located on the southernmost tip of Miami Beach, enters the final three months of its 18-month restoration project, 20 years after the iconic towers were built, and well in advance of its 40-year recertification required by State law. The Continuum sets a benchmark with implementing foresight towards ensuring the structural integrity of a property to avoid potential long-term deterioration that may result in an unsafe beachfront development. As far back as 2017, Marquis Association Management, the luxury property, and HOA management company that oversees operations at the Continuum, commissioned a world class team of architects, structural engineers, and concrete restoration specialist, to evaluate potential work that may be needed to the foundation and overlaying areas of the property. At the time, the development was structurally considered to be in sound condition, with a future recommendation to upgrade the underlying waterproofing system to bring it up to today’s standard, as part of an overall preventative maintenance measure. Marquis Association, Continuum Management and Board, decided to go one step further for residents, whereby plans to redesign and renovate the entire “Arrival Experience” at the 535-unit condominium community were laid out to commence in 2019. South Florida’s renowned and award-winning architectural and design firm, Arquitectonica, were commissioned with structural engineers, Willcott Engineering, to inspect the property and develop a bid package that was presented to Marquis Association, Continuum Management and Board. Through its prior work with the Continuum, Baltimore based Concrete Protection & Restoration (CP & R) were awarded the project to restore the structural integrity of the lower and upper entryway, forming the property’s foundation that lies on top of the vast underground parking garage. Arquitectonica deployed its landscaping arm, ArquitectonicaGEO, to work with CP & R on a total ground restoration and outdoor redevelopment and design project valued at an estimated $8 million. The 18-month venture would completely transform the residents’ Arrival Experience while refurbishing and further reinforcing the bedrock of the property. 'We’re pleased to enter into the final phase of our first and largest redevelopment to-date that will have stretched over a year and a half and stayed on schedule despite a pandemic,' says Rishi Idnani, Managing Director at the Continuum. 'Well before the tragedy of recent events in Miami Beach, and after 20 years since the Continuum was built, we took extensive and very early measures to ensure the long-term safety of our property for homeowners and the surrounding neighborhood. South Florida has an aggressive environment, with corrosive beachfront elements and high winds contributing to the damage of every oceanfront development along the coastline. Our foresight and restoration project now in its final stage, will ensure structural and exterior protection for many years to come.' The most essential work carried out for the duration of the redevelopment project has been undertaken by CP & R—a structural repair contractor specializing in concrete restoration for the last 25 years. Condominiums in Florida and Georgia have been the organization’s core business in the southern eastern United States, along with structural restoration work for universities and hospitals in the region. Every layer of the roadways and drive lanes that formed the entry point to the Continuum were uplifted, restored and replaced. The initial phase started at the angled entry road into the property, leading from the main road to the lower rotunda. The security gateway entrance and roadway would then be refurbished, followed by existing work at the circular upper rotunda that serves as the valet and drop-off area for residents, adjacent to the north and south towers. Approximately 100,000 square feet of the Continuum’s entryway has been completely renovated, whereby the deepest structural slabs were exposed and repaired, to reveal a waterproofing system that was removed, replaced and upgraded to a state-of-the-art network. Topping slabs were then replaced using a specialized repair mortar and 4000 PSI quality concrete that allowed for a final layer of pavers to be positioned alongside new curbing. Due to the majority of 100,000 square foot arrival area at the Continuum lying on top of the property’s underground parking garage, the new waterproofing system proved essential to replace and upgrade in order to protect the bones of the building and structural integrity of the parking space roofing. In addition to a newly installed hot rubberized asphalt waterproofing network, a new bi-level drainage system was placed on top, that would prevent water from setting on the structural slabbing and protect the upper layers of concrete. This premium drainage system would also prevent decay, rusting, and oxidization of the conventional reinforcing bars and post tension cables within the concrete itself, inhibiting the steel to expand and cause cracking. The entire restoration work is estimated to protect the foundation of the Continuum for at least 20 years. 'I think building ownership should take an active role in protecting their property before government regulations call for it,' says Mike O’Malley, co-owner and Vice President of Concrete Protection & Restoration. 'The Continuum is exemplary in its responsible approach towards property management, and a preventative maintenance plan is imperative for any building on an ongoing basis, or at least every 20 years. We are expecting to see an increase in business as a result of more properties taking the necessary precautions.' To complement the work undertaken by CP & R, the Continuum has partnered with Miami-based ArquitectonicaGEO, to design and redevelop the exterior grounds of the property, as part of an unprecedented transformation and beautification that will also bring new life and vitality to the surrounding South of Fifth neighborhood. Landscape designers, led by the Arquitectonica team, will be adding a large embellishment of color throughout the vicinity, with a hand-picked selection of matching flowers, shrubs, foliage and vegetation native to Florida. Florida has one of nation’s most stringent building codes, and county rules require owners of older buildings to submit reports from licensed engineers or architects certifying a building’s safety or documenting repairs needed after 40 years, and every 10 years thereafter, to meet recertification standards. For further information on the Continuum, visit www.ContinuumSB.com. More on Continuum Continuum is South Florida’s premier resort-style oceanfront condominium residences, located on the southern-most tip of Miami Beach. Consisting of a total of 535 apartments, and developed by The Continuum Company, LLC, the property includes two towers – the South Tower, which opened in 2000, comprising of 42 floors, and the North Tower, which opened in 2007, comprising of 37 floors. With 26 different residential condominium floor-plans and 5 different townhouse floor-plans offered, amenities at Continuum include two lagoon pools, private patio restaurant, sporting club and spa with state-of-the-art gym and lap pool, Tennis Pavilion with 3 clay courts, indoor parking garage with 24-hour gated security, multiple meeting rooms and a full-time concierge. Continuum provides direct access to the beach and is situated on 12 acres of perfectly manicured oceanfront property, with unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Continuum represents the largest parcel of beachfront property available in the South of Fifth neighborhood of Miami Beach. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Oscar Collazos

Gucci is pleased to announce the debut of a new item which will be exclusive to the Miami region! The House’s new Gucci Tote marks part of a new set of dedicated resort-themed totes and is the perfect companion for the warm summer months. Available in a variety of vibrant hues, Gucci Tote will be sold exclusively at Gucci boutiques throughout Miami including Aventura Mall, Bal Harbour Shops, Miami Design District, and Shops at Merrick Park. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Gucci

CMC Group and Morabito Properties, the developers behind Miami’s newest luxury condominium development, Onda Residences, have announced the official opening of a new state-of-the-art waterfront sales gallery in Bay Harbor Islands. The Onda sales gallery showcases the modern interior elements, quality materials, and high-end finishes that emulate the sophisticated look and feel of the 41-unit boutique development imagined by world-renowned Italian designers A++ Sustainable Architecture. Now open to the public at 10301 East Bay Harbor Drive, Onda’s sales gallery is situated directly adjacent to the condominium’s future waterfront site along Biscayne Bay. Construction of Onda is slated to get underway later this year and be completed in 2023. Fortune Development Sales is managing sales and marketing for Onda Residences, with nearly 30 percent of the development’s units already pre-sold since launching sales in March, with a majority of buyers hailing from the U.S. “Onda is a one-of-a-kind development in a truly special place. With our new sales gallery, future residents can get a taste of what luxury waterfront living feels like in Miami’s most charming neighborhood, Bay Harbor Islands,” said Valerio Morabito, CEO of Morabito Properties. Onda’s sales gallery features a scale model of the building, sample renderings, and views, as well as a model kitchen, living room, and master bathroom. The interior décor, designed by A++ Human Sustainable Architecture, incorporates natural materials and textures amid light wooden floors, stone and marble accents, and mid-century style furnishings – all in tones of white, beige, gray, brown, and gold. Lush green foliage and planters are incorporated into every room, with views of the turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay on full display. Outside on the waterfront deck, oversized lounge furniture pieces invite guests to take in the ocean air while emulating the relaxing atmosphere of Onda’s rooftop pool deck. “We’ve worked closely with the incredible team at A++ on every design detail of the sales gallery, from top to bottom. We hand-picked all the materials and finishes to make sure buyers can appreciate the level of quality we are implementing throughout the development,” said Ugo Colombo, Founder of CMC Group. Onda’s 41 impeccably finished residences include two- to four-bedroom layouts measuring between 1,809 to 3,525 square feet, with four penthouse residences up to 5,073 square feet in size – two of which will include private rooftop pool decks. Prices range from $1.8 million to over $9.5 million. All residences will feature an office/den, private and semi-private high-speed elevators, floor-to-ceiling impact-resistant sliding glass doors and windows, spacious tiled terraces with private gardens, open floor layouts with up to 9-foot grand ceiling heights, fully-accessorized Snaidero kitchens with top-of-the-line Miele appliances, bathrooms with Italian marble and wood cabinetry, exquisite Italian flooring throughout, energy-efficient air conditioning and heating systems with ultra-quiet technology, and air and water filtration systems. Located just west of the world-class shopping mecca Bal Harbour Shops, Bay Harbor Islands is one of the most sought-after residential neighborhoods in Miami. The exclusive two-island waterfront enclave is situated roughly two miles north of Miami Beach and neighboring Indian Creek Island, a private island famously known as “Billionaire Bunker” for its roster of celebrity residents. Bay Harbor Islands is renowned for its charming small-town community vibe, proximity to Miami’s poshest retailers and restaurants, and stunning waterfront location and views. The walkable family-oriented village also offers an abundance of parks and green space, along with access to one of the best schools in Miami-Dade County. Onda – also known as the Italian word for “wave” – has been architecturally designed by Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica, with interiors imagined by creative design masterminds Carlo and Paolo Colombo of A++ Human Sustainable Architecture, and lush landscaping by award-winning landscape architect Enzo Enea of Enea Garden Design. Among Onda’s standout features is over 300 feet of bay frontage, a private marina for the exclusive use of residents with boat slips, water sports launch dock with available kayaks, paddle boards and inflatables, and direct ocean access through Miami’s Haulover inlet. Building amenities and features will include a rooftop pool deck and lounge area; a state-of-the-art fitness center with Technogym equipment, a yoga studio, a spa with massage treatment rooms, changing facilities, and steam bath and sauna rooms. A private marina for the exclusive use of residents with boat slips, a water sports launch dock with available kayaks, paddle boards and inflatables, and direct ocean access through Miami’s Haulover inlet. Onda will also feature personalized services, advanced security and technology along with a front desk reception, covered valet drop-off area, personal parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle storage, and residential storage space. The building will offer an integrated digital concierge along with readily accessible WiFi throughout all public spaces, and FTTH (fiber to the home) technology for voice, video, and high-speed internet. Onda will benefit from the track record and expertise of Ugo Colombo of CMC Group and Valerio Morabito of Morabito Properties – two world-class developers driven by their Italian instincts for quality, style, and craftsmanship. Colombo and Morabito previously partnered in 2016 to lead the development of Beach House 8, a nearby boutique waterfront condo building on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Most recently, Colombo and CMC Group delivered Brickell Flatiron, a 64-story luxury tower in Downtown Miami’s Brickell Financial District. For more information, including preconstruction sales opportunities, please contact Fortune Development Sales at (305) 344-1234 or info@ondaresidences.com and visit the development’s sales gallery at 10301 East Bay Harbor Drive, Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154. Learn more at www.ondaresidences.com. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Onda Residences

Local restaurant veteran and hospitality entrepreneur, Ken Ray, is thrilled to announce the upcoming debut of Jia, a brand-new modern Chinese Dinner Club concept, nestled in the very heart of Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood. The highly-anticipated dining destination will be the first to introduce elevated Chinese cuisine to the area, spearheaded by award-winning internationally renowned Executive Chef Weng Choon “William” Lai, with notable expertise in the Modern Cantonese Culinary Arts. Jia will extend the ultimate upscale South Beach dining and nightlife experience, in a relaxed and welcoming setting that fuses high-style design with an edgy yet sophisticated ambiance. The new neighborhood dinner club hotspot is slated to unveil, mid-July 2021. “We are beyond thrilled to finally be able to open the doors to Jia and bring such a unique experience to the South of Fifth area – a genuine synergistic fit,” says Ken Ray, Owner of Jia. “From the very start, we let the neighborhood and space dictate the Jia concept. The South of Fifth community has the heart of a small island in the Pacific, and the vibrancy of an exceedingly electric city. There couldn’t be a more ideal spot for Jia’s introduction, in Miami.” MENU 佳 Jia’s menu presents an elevated combination of authentic Cantonese-style Chinese dishes with a contemporary spin on the classics, that exudes an elegant fusion of ingredients and flavor profiles. The restaurant’s executive chef, Weng Choon "Wiliam" Lai, boasts a long and distinguished history of experience that has earned him many awards, including the Gold Award at the Chinese Cuisine World Championship Competition (2016), the Gold Award at the 19th FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition (2017), and the Asian Gourmet Chef Individual Special Gold Award (2017). Having held lead roles in multiple prestigious restaurants in Beijing, Thailand, Cambodia, and Macau, including the Michelin guide-listed Pak Loh Chiu Chow restaurant in Macau, Jai’s culinary focus is poised to raise the bar for modern Chinese cuisine standards, beyond that of just South Beach. One of Jia’s standout dishes guests can look forward to is Chef’s Master Char Siew, an iconic honey-roasted pork dish representative of authentic Chinese BBQ culture, that has long been a staple of tradition in Chef Weng Choon’s hometown. Chef adds his own creative take to the dish by infusing white wine as the star ingredient, to replace the norm Chinese Rice Wine. There will also be a specialty late-night menu available Thursdays through Saturdays, from 11PM-1AM, featuring an array of delectably curated Dim Sum platters. “Jia’s menu fuses authentic Chinese delicacies with a contemporary twist that emboldens each dish with a variety of seasonings and spices to create that strong depth of flavor,” says Chef Weng Choon “William” Lai, Executive Chef of Jia. “It’s a really exciting menu that doesn’t fall short on offerings for guests to enjoy from Jia’s Crispy Mushroom Salad, to Black Truffle Sticky Rice, Short Rib Dumplings, Pekin Duck, Alaska Crab Cream Egg, and so much more!” BEVERAGE PROGRAM 佳 Jia’s cocktail program will be led by acclaimed local bartender and internationally-recognized Bartender of the Year Finalist at the 2013 United States Bartenders’ Guild and DIAGEO World Class U.S. Bartender Competition, Michael Parish. Having worked alongside some of the city’s top bartenders at two of Miami’s local’s favorite establishments, Broken Shaker and Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co., Parish has designed a uniquely elevated cocktail menu to perfectly complement Jia’s signature Chinese cuisine. One of the menu’s headliner cocktails is the delicately crafted Jungle Bird, made with Baijiu, Mezcal, Strawberry-Infused Apertivo, Grilled Pineapple, and Fresh Lime. Jia will also feature a tableside cocktail service and an extensive champagne pairing program, available by the glass and bottle. DESIGN & AMBIANCE 佳 Jia’s ambiance embodies the playfully polished vibe of its South of Fifth neighborhood home, with a design that reflects Jia’s bold personality and inherent cultural definition of appreciation and affection. An inspired fusion of Chinese, Art Deco, and Tropical Flair, merge to emit a high-energy spirit that reflects edgy modern elegance throughout the 2,500 sqft. space. International design consultation firm, Casa Conde & Associates, worked hand-in-hand with Jia’s founder, Ken Ray, to conceptualize every minute detail of the venue, from the Chiang Mai Dragon veiled walls to the rustic natural wood accents and focal bamboo chandeliers. At the heartbeat of the enchanting dining room area lies an inviting 12 person seated wrap-around marble bar. Here, Ray tapped famed Miami Ink tattoo artists, Ami James and Morgan Pennypacker to create custom hand-painted Asian tattoo-styled murals to complement the bar’s Raffia backdrop adorned with vibrant detailed Chinoiserie decorative art. Chicly distressed wooden partitions are fitted throughout the venue to create a flow of intimate spaces within. The restaurant features a glamorously decorated private dining lounge and spacious outside dining patio. The private lounge area/dining room lives in the back of the restaurant, with seating for up to 25 guests, offering a closed-off space for exclusive dinner parties and elevated entertainment scheduling such as Karaoke night, which will soon roll out as one of Jia’s weekly night programs. The music component will also play a fundamental role in catering to Jia’s overall dinner club element, with nightly LIVE music activations and music programming by LA-based artist advisor, Hayes Bradley. “In the movie industry, I’m accustomed to eventized films and experiences that bring audiences together, so I feel right at home partnering on Jia and delivering a memorable experience in an entirely new way,” says Jason Cloth, Jia Partner.“Ken has created a wonderfully unique dinner club that people will absolutely love, in the absolutely perfect location.” ABOUT JIA Located in the heart of Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood, Jia is a brand-new modern Chinese Dinner Club concept, helmed by local restaurant veteran and hospitality entrepreneur, Ken Ray. Sophisticated Cantonese-style dishes, conceived by award-winning internationally renowned Executive Chef Weng Choon “William” Lai, decorously complement the restaurant’s polished and playful ambiance and high-style decor that reflects Jia’s bold and edgy personality. Fusing contemporary gourmet Chinese cuisine, standout signature cocktail programming, and an elevated dinner club entertainment element, Jia aims to redefine South Beach’s ultimate upscale dining and nightlife experience. Jia is open Mondays-Wednesdays, 5:30 PM - 12 AM | Thursdays-Saturdays, 5:30 PM-2 AM | Sundays, 5 PM - 11 PM. A specialty late-night Dim Sum menu is available Thursdays-Saturdays, 11 PM - 1 AM. Jia is located at 808 1st St, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit jiamiami.com or email hello@jiamiami.com. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Casa Conde

The Museum of Graffiti is pleased to announce the opening of Escape From Los Angeles, a solo exhibition of new and recent works by SABER, the Los Angeles graffiti artist and activist. The exhibition opens on September 10, 2021, and will be on view through mid-November 2021. Rising to international fame at the age 21, Saber created the world’s largest graffiti piece on the bank of the LA River, which was visible and documented by satellites in space. Over years of dedicated and often dangerous illegal painting, Saber’s work has helped bring public awareness to the true art form of graffiti. The artist’s upcoming solo show, Escape From Los Angeles, contains a body of work created during a year of self-isolation and quarantine. During the time spent inside his home studio, the artist created a body of work that reflected upon his current reality at home versus his life as one of Los Angeles’ most notorious graffiti writers. The artist’s colour and light intensive pieces show the results of his research on brain chemistry and his current experience living with repetitive grand mal seizures. These works will be presented together with darker pieces haunted by the specter of Los Angeles’ intense urban landscape, filled with danger, looming police helicopters, fires, and of course - graffiti. These pieces reveal the vantage point of the graffiti artist that once lurked in the night seeking public locations to enhance with art. The drawings and paintings will be presented with a large-scale mural made with modified fire extinguishers, filled with paint – a tool typically used by the most extreme graffiti vandals. The decision to focus on his studio practice instead of creating art in the streets has allowed the artist to dive deeper into abstraction and move beyond using letters and graffiti as a source of inspiration. His escape from the streets to the studio has allowed him to remove the illegal aspect of street graffiti and push the boundary of abstract graffiti. “The rapid cleaning and eradication of illegal graffiti in our cities creates a challenge to artists, so I figured let's start with a big, beautiful drippy and raw fire extinguisher tag, right there in the middle of the museum,” said Saber. Museum of Graffiti co-founder Alan Ket adds, “Graffiti and its proliferation can become easily invisible to the average commuter. As an activist and artist, SABER has been pushing boundaries with his work, creating meaningful dialogue for the public. The paintings show Saber’s versatility and his ability to channel the energy and style he once painted in the streets.” ABOUT SABER Described as one of “the best and most respected artists in his field” by the Washington Post, SABER, also known as Ryan Weston Shook, is an American fine artist who originated as a graffiti artist. Rising to international fame at the age 21, Saber created the world’s largest graffiti piece on the bank of the LA River, which was visible and documented by satellites in space. He, over years of dedicated and often dangerous painting, helped bring public awareness to the true art form of graffiti. His work has influenced a generation of artists and graphic designers, and has become an influential part of modern entertainment, social media, and art for and involved in social reform. He continues to make his vibrant, mesmerizing, and often political paintings from his home in Los Angeles with his wife and two children. His art can be found in galleries and private collections around the world. Meanwhile, he continues to create public conversation about and push the boundaries of what art should (or shouldn’t) be confined to. ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF GRAFFITI Located in Miami’s Wynwood District, the Museum of Graffiti is the first institution in the world to exhibit, educate, and celebrate the thousands of graffiti artists who have transformed walls in our public spaces into vibrant masterpieces. At the Museum of Graffiti, visitors can explore the history of graffiti in an indoor and outdoor experiential setting with interactive exhibitions and unique shows. Through changing exhibitions and programs, the Museum aims to introduce visitors to the artists, paintings, photos, sculptures, works on paper, and designs that have captivated youth and adults for over fifty years, as well as the environment in which the global art movement formed. The Museum of Graffiti is open to the public with safety-first procedures, including an admission system that only allows for six people to enter the premises every 15 minutes. Guests must purchase tickets in advance online or from their mobile devices as they approach the Museum to avoid onsite transactions. Tickets: General Admission tickets are $16; Children 13 and under are free. Tickets are available online and include access to all museum exhibitions. To purchase tickets, visit our website from your desktop at home or your mobile device, museumofgraffiti.com. Hours: The Museum of Graffiti is open from 11 AM – 6 PM weekdays and 11 AM – 7 PM on weekends. Please check www.museumofgraffiti.com for special holidays, extended hours, and unexpected closings. Location: The Museum of Graffiti, located at 299 NW 25th Street, Miami, FL 33127. For more information, please visit museumofgraffiti.com or email hey@museumofgraffiti.com. Follow the Museum of Graffiti on Instagram @museumofgraffiti. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Museum of Graffiti

As we continue navigating this disorienting phase in national history, we find new opportunities to take risks. And as always, art is there to tell the story. This summer starting July 21, Oolite Arts presents Where there is power, an exhibition about the many ways that artists access, spy upon, expose, memorialize, and occasionally trouble the machinations of power. Where there is power is co-organized by Amanda Bradley, programs manager at Oolite Arts, and Réne Morales, chief curator at Pérez Art Museum Miami. “When I was first invited to do the show last summer, the world really felt like it was on fire,” said Réne Morales. “Between the pandemic, the movement for Black lives, ongoing trauma from the last administration and election, and crises at the border, the societal powers that structure and regulate our lives were clearly becoming unstable. So, we wanted to put together a show that would respond to the political instability and volatility of the times.” The exhibition’s title refers to a famous quote by the philosopher Michel Foucault: “Where there is power, there is resistance.” The Miami-based artists featured in the exhibition include José Álvarez, Asif Farooq, Edny Jean Joseph, Francisco Masó, Yucef Merhi, Reginald O’Neal, Rodolfo Peraza, Chire Regans, Tony Vázquez-Figueroa, Judi Werthein, Agustina Woodgate, Antonia Wright and Ruben Millares. Their works touch on several urgent themes including racial conflict, law enforcement, mass incarceration, cults of personality, mass protests, immigration, the exploitation of natural resources, and digital surveillance. “Inclusive of both deeply personal and political intersections with power, the exhibition creates an entry point into understanding some of the larger systems that govern our daily lives,” said Bradley. Highlights include a work by Yucef Merhi who intercepted the emails of Hugo Chávez from 1998-2004 and creates wallpaper installations out of them. The late Asif Farooq recreated the Soviet-era MiG-21 jet fighter, down to the smallest detail, in true scale – wholly out of paper. Farooq’s work was the seed that germinated this show and is a reflection on the military industrial complex, the legacies of the Cold War, and the fetishization of the military and death. Antonia Wright and Ruben Millares’ piece reimagines the barricade, a symbol of power and control. Agustina Woodgate encases a month’s supply of emergency water in an impenetrable acrylic box referencing corporate attempts to monetize water particularly in Latin America and Africa. Chire Regans, who creates memorial portraits of victims of gun violence, presents a new, site-specific work that includes portraits of her own children. Morales adds, “It is an important moment to take stock of and think about how power impacts our lives. These artists remind us of the inherent value of shedding light into dark places.” To view the exhibition, Where there is power, the public can visit the gallery between the hours of noon and 5 p.m., July 21 – Sept. 19, 2021. Oolite Arts invites the public to an opening reception from 7 – 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 21. Click HERE to RSVP. The gallery space is located at 924 Lincoln Road. For updates, visit oolitearts.org. CALENDAR NOTICE Where there is power 924 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, Florida Free to the public; July 21 – Sept. 19, noon to 5 p.m. About Oolite Arts Oolite Arts helps Miami-based artists advance their careers and inspires the cultural community to engage with their work. Established in 1984, Oolite Arts is both a community and a resource, providing visual artists with the studio space, exhibition opportunities and financial support they need to experiment, grow and enrich the city. Through its educational programming, Oolite Arts helps Miamians learn about contemporary art and develop their own artistic skills. For more information, visit oolitearts.org. Follow @oolitearts on social media. About the Curators René Morales is Chief Curator at Pérez Art Museum Miami, where he has organized more than 50 exhibitions. Recent projects include Polyphonic: Celebrating PAMM’s Fund for Black Art (2020), Meleko Mokgose: Your Trip to Africa (2020), Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Surrounded Islands, 1980–83 (2018), Dara Friedman: Perfect Stranger (2017), Sarah Oppenheimer: S-281913 (2016), Susan Hiller: Lost and Found (2016), Marjetica Potrc: The School of the Forest (2015), Nicolas Lobo: The Leisure Pit (2015), Global Positioning Systems: Selections from the PAMM Collection (2014–15), Amelia Peláez: The Craft of Modernity, and Monika Sosnowska: Market (2013–14). Morales spearheaded the acquisition of nearly 400 works from the Sackner Archive of Concrete and Visual Poetry for PAMM’s collection. He is a recipient of the 2019 Center for Curatorial Leadership Fellowship and is on the board of the City of Miami Art in Public Places program. Prior to joining PAMM, Morales worked at the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, in Providence. Morales studied at Swarthmore College and Brown University. Amanda Bradley is a Belizean American artist and arts administrator based in Miami, Florida. She received a BFA in Photography from New World School of the Arts. Currently, she is the Programs Manager at Oolite Arts, where she oversees The Ellies, Miami’s Visual Art Awards as well as Oolite’s Exhibitions Program. Her work explores place and landscape as a means to connect and understand identity, belonging, histories, and relationships. Her work has been exhibited in The land remembers the flood at FAR Contemporary Gallery; Work from Home at The Bass Museum of Art; Further than Memory, Intimate Distances at Artmedia Gallery; Notices in a Mutable Terrain at Fundacion Pablo Atchugarry; It will never become quite familiar to you at Oolite Arts, RCS: 76-100 at Swampspace Gallery; The Passing of Time at the Alfred DuPont Building; american fine arts, an allegory for americas at Art Movement LA, California and Current Projects in Little Haiti, Florida; and In This Moment at PH21 Gallery in Budapest, Hungary; amongst others. The Miami-based artists featured in the exhibition include José Álvarez, Asif Farooq, Edny Jean Joseph, Francisco Masó, Yucef Merhi, Reginald O’Neal, Rodolfo Peraza, Chire Regans, Tony Vázquez-Figueroa, Judi Werthein, Agustina Woodgate, Antonia Wright and Ruben Millares. Reginald O’Neal. My Father, 2018. Courtesy of the artist Judi Werthein Brinco, 2005. Courtesy of the artist and Insite_05 Asif Farooq Balalaika, 2012-ongoing. Courtesy of the Asif Farooq estate and studio Tony Vazquez-Figueroa, Ourglass, 2019. Courtesy of the artist and Lns Gallery Francisco Maso, courtesy of the artist Antonia Wright and Ruben Millares Where there is power there is resistance, 2021. Courtesy of the artists and Spinello Projects Jose Alvarez (D.O.P.A.) The Visitor, 2007. Courtesy of the artist and GAVLAK Gallery Agustina Woodgate Emergency Exchange, 2019. Courtesy of the artist and Spinello Projects (1) Rodolfo Peraza. Jailhead.com, 2009-2021. Courtesy of the artist Edny Jean Joseph. The Spectacle, 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Andrew Quarrie & Void Projects Yucef Merhi No Fly Security, 2018-19. Courtesy of The CIFO Collection By ML Staff. Top image: Yucef Merhi No Fly Security, 2018-19. Courtesy of The CIFO Collection

Tens of million years ago, sand tiger sharks hunted in the waters off the Antarctic Peninsula, gliding over a thriving marine ecosystem on the seafloor below. All that remains of them today is their sharp, pointed teeth, but those teeth tell a story. They’re helping solve the mystery of why the Earth, some 50 million years ago, began shifting from a “greenhouse” climate that was warmer than today toward cooler “icehouse” conditions. Many theories about this climate shift focus on Antarctica. There is geologic evidence that both the Drake Passage, which is the water between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula, and the Tasman Gateway, between Australia and East Antarctica, widened and deepened during this time as Earth’s tectonic plates moved. The wider, deeper passages would have been necessary for the waters of the major oceans to come together and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current to form. That current, which flows around Antarctica today, traps cold waters in the Southern Ocean, keeping Antarctica cold and frozen. A map of the ocean surface temperature as measured by satellites shows the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, marked by dark lines. Antarctica’s sea ice appears in light blue.Copernicus Marine Services/European Union The now-extinct sand tiger shark species Striatolamia macrota was once a constant in the waters around the Antarctic Peninsula, and it left exquisitely preserved fossil teeth on what is now Seymour Island near the tip of the peninsula. By studying the chemistry preserved in these shark teeth, my colleagues and I found evidence of when the Drake Passage opened, which allowed the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans to mix, and what the water felt like at the time. The temperatures recorded in shark teeth are some of the warmest for Antarctic waters and verify climate simulations with high atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Oxygen captured in very sharp teeth Sand tiger sharks have sharp teeth that protrude from their jaw to grasp prey. A single shark has hundreds of teeth in multiple rows. Over a lifetime, it sheds thousands of teeth as new ones grow. Important environmental information is encoded within the chemistry of each tooth and preserved there over millions of years. For example, the outer layer of a shark’s tooth is composed of an enameloid hydroxyapatite, similar to enamel in human teeth. It contains oxygen atoms from the water the shark lived in. By analyzing the oxygen, we can determine the temperature and salinity of the surrounding water during the shark’s life. The teeth from Seymour Island show that the Antarctic waters – at least where the sharks lived – stayed warmer longer than scientists had estimated. Illustrations of sand tiger shark teeth used by the scientists.Christina Spence Morgan Another clue comes from the element neodymium, which adsorbs and replaces other elements in the outer enameloid of the tooth during early fossilization. Each ocean basin has a distinct ratio of two different neodymium isotopes based on the age of its rocks. Looking at the ratio of the shark teeth allows us to detect the sources of the water where the shark died. If conditions are stable, the neodymium composition would not change. However, if neodymium composition does change in fossil teeth over time, that indicates changes in oceanography. Big sharks, warm water We studied 400 teeth from Seymour Island, from all ages of shark, juvenile to adult, from individuals living between 45 million to 37 million years ago. The combination of tooth size and chemistry yielded some surprising clues to the past. Some of the teeth were extremely large, suggesting these ancient Antarctic sand tigers were larger than today’s sand tiger shark, Carcharias taurus, which can grow to about 10 feet long. In addition, water temperatures the sharks lived in were warmer than previous studies involving Antarctic clam shells suggested. It’s possible the difference was between waters closer to the surface and deeper on the seafloor, or the sharks whose teeth we found may have spent part of their lives in South America. Today’s sand tiger sharks track warm waters. They spend summer and early fall between coastal Massachusetts and Delaware, but when waters cool off, they migrate to coastal North Carolina and Florida. Because their teeth continuously form and move forward almost like a conveyor belt, there are some teeth within the jaw that represent a different habitat than where a shark is living. It is possible that the ancient sand tiger sharks also migrated, and when Antarctic waters cooled off, they headed north to warmer waters at lower latitudes. A modern sand tiger shark, also known as a grey nurse shark, shows its rows of teeth.Jlencion/Wikimedia, CC BY-SA The teeth suggested that the sharks’ water temperature then was similar to the water temperatures where modern sand tiger sharks can be found today. Carbon dioxide concentrations were also three to six times higher than today, so scientists would expect amplified temperatures in the regions. Finally, the neodymium in the fossil sand tiger shark teeth provides the earliest chemical evidence of water flowing through the Drake Passage that aligns with tectonic evidence. The early timing of the Drake Passage opening, but the delayed cooling effect, indicates there are complex interactions between Earth’s systems that affect climate change. What about their northern cousins? Sand tiger sharks were found around the world during the Eocene, suggesting they survived in a wide range of environments. In the Arctic Ocean, for example, they lived in brackish waters that are less salty than the open ocean 53 million to 38 million years ago and were much smaller than their southern cousins off Antarctica. Differences in the saltiness of the tiger sharks’ habitat and the size of the sharks also show up in the Gulf of Mexico during this time. That range of environmental tolerance bodes well for the modern sand tiger sharks’ survival as the planet warms once again. Unfortunately, the pace of warming today is faster and maybe beyond the sand tiger shark’s ability to adapt. By Sora Kim Assistant Professor of Paleoecology from University of California, Merced. Special thanks to The Conversation. Top image by Unsplash

PONANT, a leader in small-ship expeditions, announces new winter 2022 itineraries in collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. Drawing on Smithsonian's resources dating back 175 years, the new sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife. PONANT and Smithsonian Journeys are rooted in common values – focusing on cultural immersion and discovery – with a goal of further inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel. Departures exploring Antarctica, Costa Rica and Panama, the Caribbean, and Japan, will provide opportunities to engage with a variety of experts, ranging from geologists and scientists to astrophysicists and historians. The full list of sailings can be viewed here. Highlights include: Antarctica: The White Continent, L’Austral The 11-day itinerary will journey into the heart of the Antarctica peninsula. Travelers will begin by crossing the Drake Passage, considered a badge of honor during an Antarctic voyage, before disembarking on Zodiac outings to explore the icy continent. The journey will take guests up close to Gentoo and Adelie penguins and seals and will redirect or stop navigation in order to witness passing humpback whales. The cruise will be accompanied by PONANT’s team of naturalist guides and two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, astrophysicist Michelle Thaller, who serves as the assistant director for Science Communication at NASA’s Goddard Space Center, and geologist Wayne Ranney with over 40 years of experience leading trips to Earth’s most spectacular landscapes, who will join guests on excursions to research stations, volcanic beaches, and along icebergs and ice floe. Departure on January 22, 2022 / 10 nights, 11 days Starting from $9,830 per person Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America, Le Champlain Embark on an eight-day cruise from Colón, Panama to Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica passing through the Panama Canal. Ports of call include the UNESCO World Heritage site Darién National Park for treks through the wilderness; an exclusive hosted visit to the Punta Culebra Nature Center at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama City; and Carara National Park, home to over 10,000 species of plants, 300 species of birds and 200 species of butterflies. Guests will join engaging discussions onboard with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, Matthew Larsen, Director Emeritus of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, centered around the importance of ecosystems, and Ralph Nurnberger, historian, and expert in international relations. Departure on January 24, 2022 / 7 nights, 8 days Starting from $4,410 per person Cruising the Caribbean’s Windward Islands, Le Dumont-d’Urville Join Smithsonian Journeys Experts, Caribbean historian Franklin Knight, and geophysicist Carola Stearns, with experience in climate geomorphology, while discovering the most enchanting islands of the Caribbean Sea. Departing from St. Lucia, home to The Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ship will travel to ports larger vessels are unable reach: Portsmouth, Dominica; Les Saintes, Guadeloupe; and scattered islands and uninhabited cays in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Along the way, there will be opportunities to snorkel and scuba dive in the crystal-clear waters to observe turtles, barracudas and parrotfish; birdwatch along nature trails; and spend days exploring private beaches. Departure on February 13, 2022 / 7 nights, 8 days Starting from $3,900 per person Treasures of Japan by Sea, Le Soléal Sail from Kobe, one of the first Japanese ports to open to international trade in the 19th century, to Japan’s second-largest city of Osaka, where rich heritage blends with the country’s industrialization and modernization. The sailing will be accompanied by Smithsonian Journeys Experts, Jonathan Hall, Japanese film and literature expert with 20 years of experience as a Japanese-English translator, as well as Timon Screech, a specialist in the art and culture of early modern Japan. Highlights of the itinerary include an Udon-noodle master class at a Takamatsu cooking school; a visit to Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park; and a tour through Korakuen Garden, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens in Okayama. Departure on April 15, 2022 / 7 nights, 8 days Starting from $6,500 per person More on PONANT Created in 1988 by officers of the French Merchant Navy, PONANT has created a new style of cruising, under the French flag, through a unique conception of sea travel and a commitment to promoting sustainable and responsible tourism. Accessing exceptional territories aboard yachts featuring refined design, on which the art of living and excellent cuisine takes pride of place: such is the promise of a unique and authentic PONANT voyage. For more information on PONANT’s worldwide itineraries to the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as in the Atlantic and North Europe, Asia, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Eastern Asia, Oceania, and Central and South America, visit https://us.ponant.com, call 1-844-747-2873, or contact your travel advisor. About the Smithsonian Since its founding in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to inspiring generations through knowledge and discovery. It is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, consisting of 19 museums, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities. There were nearly 22 million visits to the Smithsonian in 2019. The total number of objects works of art, and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at nearly 155 million, of which nearly 146 million are scientific specimens at the National Museum of Natural History. www.smithsonian.org. About Smithsonian Journeys Smithsonian Journeys is part of Smithsonian Enterprises, a division of the Smithsonian which oversees the institution’s commercial activities, including the Smithsonian Channel, which is available in over 55 million households globally; the retail operation, which includes 35 museum and airport stores, food concessions; an E-commerce business, Smithsonianstore.com, Smithsonian and Air & Space magazines, which reach more than 8 million monthly readers, consumer and education licensing, and books. Smithsonian Journeys is a global leader in cultural travel for diverse audiences, offering unique, expert-led trips on all seven continents. Smithsonian Journeys offers small-group land journeys, ocean cruises, river cruises, active journeys, cultural stays, private jet trips, tailor-made journeys for the independent traveler and student travel programs. For more information visit www.SmithsonianJourneys.org or call 1-855-330-1542. By ML Staff. Image by Dylan Shaw

New York based Broadway, film, television and acting coach and renowned theatre director, Matthew Corozine is announcing the debut of Matthew Corozine Studio, Inc. Miami (MCS). The studio will debut in the Miami Design District’s Palm Court Event Space beginning September 13, 2021 offering acting classes based on the transformational work of the Meisner technique. Classes will take place on an ongoing basis with limited spaces available each Monday from 6pm-9pm. Matthew conceptualized MCS with a vision to create a collaborative, expansive, and supportive community for all artists to build their craft with honor and integrity. More than an acting studio, MCS is an inclusive community that celebrates the diversity of all artists who hope to explore their creativity through transformational techniques. MCS is expanding their network. Originally established in New York City, MCS now boasts locations in Washington D.C. and Miami and provides online classes. “Acting is living and behaving truthfully and fully under imaginary circumstances.” For over 20 years, this definition of acting is what has guided MCS students through their journey, encouraging them to “Get Out of Their Heads.” Matthew Corozine and all MCS coaches are committed to getting students out of their old stories, encouraging them to be in the present moment, and creating a new artistic future they may not even envision. By removing the walls that each student builds during childhood to survive in the world, MCS conditions them to respond from their unique impulses and instincts. As Matthew teaches, “If you survived 7th grade, you can be an actor.” From acting careers on national television, Broadway, producing and writing original work for theatre and film, to professional careers in arts related organizations, MCS students have taken the transformational MCS work to become leaders and activists across all creative platforms. Matthew was officially nominated for a 2015 and 2018 EXCELLENCE IN THEATRE EDUCATION TONY AWARD®. He has coached on MTV's Emmy Award Winning "Made," and he has been a guest artist teaching master classes in Meisner at SoHo House New York, and SAG-AFTRA as well as other U.S and International destinations. Some of the highlights of Matthew's directing credits include FringeNYC (THE BOYS UPSTAIRS and MISS KIM) the NYC and LA premieres Susan E. Isaac’s ANGRY CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD, based on her spiritual memoir, and Terria Joseph's original one-woman show GOING THROUGH LIFE WITH NO DIRECTION (produced by Alicia Keys at 54 Below). Testimonial - Sheri Sanders Founder and Author of ROCK THE AUDITION "Matt's insistence on my being truthful to my own nature is something I've prayed for in a teacher my whole life. All I want to do when I'm not working is to be in his class and break through." Testimonial - Matthew LaBanca A CHRISTMAS CAROL, YOUNG, FRANKENSTEIN, WHITE CHRISTMAS (Broadway) "Taking class here is, hands down, the best investment I've made for my acting career. I always knew I had more depth as an actor, but that depth eluded me until I found MCS. This is where I finally learned to let go of doing things the "right" way, to honor my own unique impulses, and to consistently know what it means to live in the moment. The environment here is creative, safe, and often magical. My work is richer, fuller, and further true because of my studies at MCS." By ML Staff. Image by Unsplash

The approach of summer in the U.S. means that it’s time to be ready for hurricanes and wildfires. The incidence of weather and climate disasters is increasing in the U.S., a trend due partly to climate change but also to human decisions. Since the 1950s, population growth has increased significantly in Sun Belt states. Millions of people have moved to coastlines, from Texas to the Carolinas, putting more lives and property in harm’s way during hurricanes. Florida, the hurricane capital of the United States, now is the third-most-populous state in the nation. Recognizing that Americans are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather-Ready Nation initiative is helping communities plan for events like violent tornadoes, destructive hurricanes, and widespread flooding. As a meteorologist and supporter of this effort, I believe that everyone should understand what kinds of severe weather hazards could affect their family and home and be ready for them. Here are some ways to do it. What to do instead of taping windows The U.S. experienced a record 22 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2020 that wreaked about US$95 billion in total damage. This included a historic hurricane season, with 30 named storms and seven billion-dollar tropical cyclones – the most in one year since NOAA started keeping track of billion-dollar disasters in 1980. For Atlantic and Gulf coast residents, hurricane preparedness has to be a way of life. It means knowing whether you live in a designated evacuation zone. That’s key in the event of storm surge – when a hurricane pushes seawater up onto local beaches and inland areas. Readiness also means having a family and business disaster plan that details preparations, and maintaining a hurricane survival kit. Another priority is knowing how to protect your home and business from damaging winds. Conducting a home insurance review with your agent and scheduling a wind mitigation inspection will identify what you can do to strengthen and protect vulnerable parts of the building such as windows, entry doors, garage doors, and roofs. Adding metal hurricane shutters or hurricane-resistant windows can help. So can retrofitting the attic or eaves with metal hurricane straps, which connect the rafters to the walls to prevent the roof from blowing off. The owner of a Mexico Beach, Florida, house that survived Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm in 2018, describes his home’s stormproofing features. Here’s one step to skip: Putting tape onto windows for wind protection from a hurricane. Tape does nothing to reduce wind damage, so this is a waste of time. Consumers also need to rethink how they shop for a new home in storm-prone areas. It’s OK to want granite countertops, walk-in closets, and a safe neighborhood near schools and parks. But buyers should also consider how well a house is built, its age, the materials it contains, the shape and condition of the roof, and building code requirements at the time it was constructed. And they should ask whether the house is located in a flood-prone area, has wind-resistant features, or has been retrofitted against hurricanes. Even residents who don’t live in a zone where it is required should consider taking out flood insurance. Storm-testing buildings Florida International University’s International Hurricane Research Center, which is part of our Extreme Events Institute, was designated NOAA’s first Weather-Ready Nation ambassador in South Florida. Our Wall of Wind facility is capable of creating Category 5 hurricane conditions – winds with speeds over 157 mph. Like crash testing for vehicles, wind testing can help ensure that structures, traffic signals, and building components can hold up under stress. The Wall of Wind is part of the National Science Foundation’s Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure program. A Wall of Wind demonstration shows how inexpensive building reinforcements can prevent costly hurricane damage. For educational outreach, we host the yearly Wall of Wind Mitigation Challenge, in which teams of local high school students develop innovative wind mitigation concepts and solutions. And the Extreme Events Institute uses a risk equation to help the public understand and support measures to confront the “risk drivers” that lead to major losses. For more about hurricane mitigation and preparedness, watch our 12-episode “Eye of the Storm” video series, or visit our Spanish-language hurricane website. Wildfires, tornadoes, and floods NOAA’s National Weather Service is also investing in new forecasting tools and linking its forecasts to lifesaving decisions made in every state and county. The goal is to provide timely forecasts that emergency managers, first responders, government officials, businesses, and the public can act on. Across the United States, Weather-Ready Nation ambassadors are preparing for many types of extreme weather events. Another extreme wildfire season is expected in many Western states. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management is asking residents to have a bag packed and to prepare an evacuation plan. Flooding can occur almost anywhere across the country, and hazards can develop quickly. In mid-May 2021, over 12 inches of rain fell on the Lake Charles, Louisiana, area in a single day, triggering flash flooding that completely submerged parked cars. Flooded roadways can be deadly, so take heed of NOAA’s “Turn Around Don’t Drown” message and avoid walking or driving in flooded areas – it could save your life. Tornado safety is critical: So far in 2021, twisters have killed a dozen people, in Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and North Carolina. Tornado readiness includes knowing the safest room in your home – usually a windowless interior room on the lowest floor – and tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio, which will provide severe-weather information directly from your local National Weather Service office. During any severe weather event, such as the February 2021 deep freeze in Texas, the power may go out, so everyone should have flashlights and batteries on hand. Portable generators can be useful during extended outages, but always operate them outdoors to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Apathy and complacency can also be dangerous when it comes to weather-driven disasters. In my view, weather readiness has to become a way of life – something that all Americans see as their responsibility. The best forecasts in the world may be useless if the public doesn’t respond or hasn’t taken the needed actions to protect themselves when extreme weather threatens. Most importantly, remember to help your neighbors when needed, especially if they are elderly and can’t help themselves. In addition, consider supporting local nonprofits or churches that help residents in your community who have financial or transportation needs to be ready and safe. We are all in this together. By Erik Salna Director of Education and Outreach, Extreme Events Institute, Florida International University. Special thanks to The Conversation