On Friday, April 29th and Sunday, May 1st, Dranoff 2 Piano will present internationally acclaimed musicians, Etienne Charles and the Creole Soul band, and Weedie Braimah in African Beats. Two days of top Caribbean, African and American artists exploring their Black African musical heritage in performances at the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater. Friday, April 29th, 2022 Pre-concert talk 6:30PM | Concert 7:30PM WEST AFRICAN BEATS & CREOLE SOUL Multiple Grammy award-winning trumpeter Etienne Charles and his Caribbean band Creole Soul, bring the songs and dance rhythms and artist stories of West Africa that were carried across the ocean to the Americas. PRE-CONCERT TALK: Etienne Charles will give a multimedia presentation on the historical passage of West African music into the foundation and fabric of American Jazz and Caribbean music. Sunday, May 1st, 2022 Pre-concert talk 2:00PM | Concert 3:00PM WEST AFRICAN BEATS & AMERICAN JAZZ Grammy winning Ghanaian Djembe star Weedie Braimah and Etienne Charles bring West African percussion and beats to the greats of Jazz piano. Jelly Roll Morton, Hazel Scott, Winifred Atwell, Chuchu Valdes Piano Duo Angel Perez & Devin Shaw PRE-CONCERT TALK: Etienne Charles and a panel of local Jazz musicians and scholars present the West African influence of beats and percussion on the lives and the music of the great Black Jazz pianist/composers. Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex 819 NW 2nd Avenue Miami, FL 33136 One Day Ticket: $25 | Weekend Ticket: $40 | Students with ID $5 at the door West African Beats – African influences in American music concert series is supported by Funding Arts Network (FAN) a not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding performing and visual arts in Miami Dade Count via their AWARE initiative (Artists Works Addressing and Rethinking Equity) in celebration of the 25th anniversary of philanthropy in our hometown. About Dranoff For 36 years, the Dranoff International 2 Piano Foundation has been the world’s leading champion of exclusively two piano repertoire and artistry. It is the only international foundation, accredited by the World Federation of International Music Competitions, to discover, promote, and award honors to top professional duo piano artists through its competition, commissions, and presentations of duo piano concerts. The Dranoff promotes awareness in a new generation of students of the transformational power of music and the arts through its multi-disciplinary, educational, and inspirational concert program, PIANO SLAM. About the Artists Trinidad born Etienne Charles is a performer, composer and storyteller, who is continuously searching for untold stories and sounds with which to tell them. His lush trumpet sound, varied compositional textures and pulsating percussive grooves enable him to invoke trance, soothing and exciting listeners while referencing touchy and sometimes controversial subjects in his music. As an Afro-descendant, his work is actively connecting the diaspora and drawing lines to regions at the roots of migrations. Highlighting marginalized communities and engaging with them has been his mission, evident with projects such as Carnival: The Sound of a People Vol. 1, San Jose Suite, Creole Soul, and Folklore. He has been featured as a bandleader at the Newport Jazz Festival (RI), Monterey Jazz Festival (CA), Atlanta Jazz Festival (GA), Pittsburgh JazzLive international Festival (PA), San Jose Jazz Festival (CA), Java Jazz Festival (Indonesia), Ottawa Jazz Festival (Canada), St. Lucia Jazz Festival, Barbados Jazz Festival, Library of Congress (DC), Carnegie Hall (NY) and Koerner Hall (Canada). As a sideman he has performed with and/or arranged for Roberta Flack, Marcus Roberts, Marcus Miller, Count Basie Orchestra, Frank Foster’s Loud Minority Big Band, Monty Alexander, Gregory Porter, René Marie, Paulette McWilliams and many others. He has been commissioned as a composer and arranger by Lincoln Center (2018 & 2021), Savannah Music Festival (2017), Chamber Music America (2015 & 2021), the Charleston Jazz Orchestra (2012) and the Chicago Jazz Ensemble (2011). As an educator and conductor, he has done residencies at the Juilliard School, Stanford University, Columbia College Chicago, Oakland University, Kent State University, Walnut Hills High School, Cultural Academy for Excellence, and the US Military Academy. His dedication to the preservation of artistic traditions in his homeland inspired him to form and lead the Carnival bands, "We the People" (2017), "Street Party" (2018), "D'longtime Band" (2019) and "Euphoria" (2020) which featured a full live brass band on a truck going through the streets of Woodbrook and Port of Spain playing vintage calypso and soca. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Studio Music and Jazz at the University of Miami, Patricia L. Frost School of Music. Weedie Braimah is a young premier master of the djembe. He began his career at the early age of two, born in Ghana, where he was first introduced to West African culture and drumming. In East St. Louis, which is considered home for Braimah, he began his lifelong quest and professional career in the study of cultural music of the diasporas. A maverick performer of the highest caliber, Braimah has an almost insatiable knack to draw the entire audience into his grove, zigzagging through Africa on a breathtaking rhythmic roller coaster. Braimah comes from a long lineage of musicians, including his mother, a respected jazz drummer and his father, a world renowned composer and master drummer. Having studied with the greats such as Mamady Keita, Famadou Konate, Abdoul Doumbia, and Fadouba Oulare just to name a few, it was no surprise that Braimah excelled musically and became well known on the drum and dance circuit. Braimah has been a performer, teacher and preserver of African culture for over 20 years and continues to peruse new musical journeys every day. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Unsplash

With Mother's Day approaching, what better way to show your mom some TLC than a spa day? This year, you’re in luck because we have rounded up the top spas in South Florida for mothers to enjoy a day of relaxation and rejuvenation. exhale® spa exhale® spa, an award-winning, internationally recognized spa and fitness brand with locations across the U.S. and Bermuda, including three spas in Miami, is the perfect escape for Mother's Day. After taking your mom to a nice brunch in Downtown Miami, visit exhale® spa Downtown Miami at the Epic Hotel where you can experience a full list of boutique fitness classes or enjoy one of their spa services, ranging from massages and facials to acupuncture and manicures. If you have a beach day in mind, exhale® spa South Beach at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel features spa therapy rooms, a Glam+Go blow out bar, a yoga pavilion, steam and whirlpool amenities, and an expansive fitness center making the facility a complete oceanside paradise. If you and your mom find yourselves near the Intracoastal Water Way, exhale® spa Bal Harbour is a stunning waterfront spa and boutique fitness destination located within The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour. This location offers a suite of private therapy rooms, sauna and steam rooms and the complete menu of results-oriented spa therapies along with fitness classes that have a breathtaking ocean view. Images courtesy of exhale® spa GUYandGIRL Spa at Shelborne South Beach Transport your mind, body and soul to the ultimate luxury South Beach hotel spa. One of the best kept secrets of Miami Beach locals, GUYandGIRL Spa is the best place to pamper yourself and unwind. Located at the Shelborne South Beach Hotel, GUYandGIRL Spa provides an oasis of harmony and serenity. This Mother’s Day, the spa will offer the Motherly Love Package, which includes a massage, facial and mani/pedi, in addition to a special take-home gift. Other treatments include the Mommy & Me, which includes a signature facial for mother and daughter. Finally, The Better Than Flowers treatment includes a lush lavender facial and complimentary champagne. Image courtesy of GUYandGIRL Spa Satori Spa at The Gabriel Miami This Mother’s Day, guests can treat their mothers to a holistic retreat in the center of the Magic City. The Gabriel Miami offers spacious rooms and suites facing Downtown Miami, as well as the new Satori Spa – perfect for mothers to immerse themselves in a day of tranquility. The spa features eco- and body-conscious services meant to refresh the body and soul through facials, massages and natural body treatments. Moms can also catch the sunrise over the Miami skyline from the balcony of their rooms, lounge on the pool deck, and even take a dip in the rectangular pool facing Biscayne Bay. For an adventurous experience, mothers can grab The Gabriel bicycles for a ride around the city, and even head to Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and Pérez Art Museum Miami to enjoy brunch at Verde. Image courtesy of Satori Spa Dancing Lion Studio at Hillsboro Beach Resort Treat your mother to a beachside retreat at Hillsboro Beach Resort this Mother's Day. Dancing Lion Studio – a yoga studio and wellness center – brings sunrise yoga classes and massage therapists to the resort. For a special experience, guests can get pampered all weekend long, such as with a private massage session from their ocean-view room, followed by a day at the resort pool and private beach. Guests can take their mother for an adventure out on the resort’s kayaks or bicycles down to Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse, and head to onsite restaurant Roí for an oceanfront dining experience. Image courtesy of Hillsboro Beach Resort By ML Staff.

The 14th Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the world’s biggest and most successful cannabis investing and finance event, will take place on April 20 and April 21, 2022, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel, in Miami, Florida. Enjoy exclusive opportunities for curated networking and unparalleled access to private deal flow at an event hosted by Benzinga, a financial news and data company recently acquired at a $300 million valuation. Hear directly from the executives of top-performing cannabis companies and get priceless insights from the world’s leading cannabis investors, all in one place. The upgraded version of the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the biggest and best yet, will not only feature the traditional keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats, networking, company presentations, and investor and celebrity appearances, but also a larger exhibit floor and enhanced industry networking opportunities. Among the top new features of the Miami Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference are: An expo floor like you’ve never seen before, with bigger booths and a lot of additional branding opportunities for your company. A private, VIP area for select companies and investors. An upgraded system for 1:1 meetings. More networking opportunities and higher profile attendees than ever before. After 13 extremely successful editions in Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Miami, the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is going bigger than ever. The April 20 and April 21 Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference will include, for the first time ever, an expo floor to give more visibility to the brands that are shaping this space. In addition, attendees will enjoy private meeting areas, comfortable seating and premium food options. For more information, please visit: https://www.benzinga.com/events/cannabis-conference/ By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Cannabis Capital Conference

Long black wings with distinctive thin yellow bands - combined with slow, graceful flight - characterize the zebra longwing (Heliconius charitonius). It has a wide range of habitats, including hardwood hammocks, thickets, and gardens. The zebra longwing is found throughout the state, although it is more common in south Florida, particularly in the Everglades National Park. In 1996 the state legislature designated the zebra longwing as the official state butterfly. ABOUT OUR STATE BUTTERFLY The zebra heliconian, is a species of butterfly belonging to the subfamily Heliconiinae of the family Nymphalidae. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1767 12th edition of Systema Naturae. The boldly striped black and white wing pattern is aposematic, warning off predators. The species is distributed across South and Central America and as far north as southern Texas and peninsular Florida; there are migrations north into other American states in the warmer months. Zebra longwing adults roost communally at night in groups of up to 60 adults for safety from predators. The adult butterflies are unusual in feeding on pollen as well as on nectar; the pollen enables them to synthesize cyanogenic glycosides that make their bodies toxic to potential predators. Caterpillars feed on various species of passionflower, evading the plants' defensive trichomes by biting them off or laying silk mats over them. Unfortunately, mass spraying of naled has decimated the zebra longwing population in Miami-Dade County, Florida. There has been mass collapse of the colonies with impacts on the balance of the ecosystem. Special thanks for Wikipedia for textual inserts. To ensure that Wikipedia continues to ensure that everyone has the right to free and open knowledge, please donate. Butterfly gif animation by Anna Salmi. Anna is an expert illustrator with a special talent for animated Gifs. For work inquiries please visit Anna's website.

Throughout the month of March, Broward County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services (BCPSFNS) celebrated National Nutrition Month with district-wide activities, contests, education and nutritious meals. As Florida’s second largest school district and sixth largest in the nation, BCPSFNS recognizes the importance nutrition plays in the lives of its students, who are encouraged to “Power Up” each and every day. School meals are healthier now than ever, with more fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, and less fat and sodium. Cafeterias have also expanded their vegan and vegetarian options beyond the everyday salad. With guidelines from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, BCPSFNS educated students on the importance of a nutritious, well-balanced diet and how to make healthy meals choices. Through a number of channels including a fact-filled social media campaign, students, staff and parents learned about nutrition, vitamins, smart snacking and the food groups. Across Broward County, schools joined in on the fun. Country Hills Elementary in Coral Springs and Croissant Park Elementary in Fort Lauderdale celebrated National School Breakfast Week - taking place within National Nutrition Month - by encouraging staff and students to dress up as superheroes. The celebration continued at Sunrise Middle School in Fort Lauderdale, which has been named a 2022 Magnet School of Excellence. Students at Peters Elementary School in Plantation participated in an essay contest to commemorate the week as well as continuing the superhero celebrations. For more information, visit https://www.browardschools.com/food-service. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of BCPSFNS

Reaffirming his commitment to providing the most advanced care with the latest technological advancements to his patients, Ivy league-trained, Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon Jacob D. Steiger, M.D., of Steiger Facial Plastic Surgery in Boca Raton, is pleased to announce that Jules Reardon, Licensed Medical Aesthetician, Board Certified CPE and Laser Technician has joined the acclaimed practice. Jules Reardon is a results oriented certified Medical Aesthetician, Laser Technician and Certified CPE with over 18 years of vast experience. Reardon provides undeniably unique treatments to enhance her clients’ appearance all while using cutting-edge technology and the newest advances in the industry. Reardon’s philosophy is to listen to a client’s specific needs and concerns, all while providing five-star unparalleled tailor-made service. “My goal is to make people feel empowered by achieving natural-appearing results specific to their unique anatomical features using a tailor-made approach,” said Reardon. “It’s a gratifying moment when someone is happy with their results and suddenly others start to notice and complement them too.” Reardon’s specialties include Microneedling, Microneedling with Radio Frequency, Microneedling with PRP, AquaGold Microchanneling, IPL-Intense Pulsed Light, Thermismooth Radio Frequency, HydraFacial, ViPeel, Nano Facial, Microdermabrasion, medical grade facials, Milia Removal, Ulthera, Sofwave, Excel-V Vascular Laser, skin analysis, customized skincare regimen consultations, Dermaplaning and customizable treatments. “We are thrilled to have Jules join the Steiger Facial Plastic Surgery family,” said Dr. Steiger. “She takes pride in her work and exemplifies the highest quality care that define and set apart Steiger Facial Plastic Surgery.” Dr. Steiger is board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and is a diplomate of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is also board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. He focuses his practice specifically on the face and neck. He offers state-of-the-art surgical and non-invasive solutions for facial rejuvenation, as well as techniques for specific features, such as nose reshaping, jawline tightening, neck lifting, lip augmentation, skin resurfacing and eyelid lifting. Steiger Facial Plastic Surgery Center, a 5,000-square-foot, custom-built facility located in Boca Raton, is a medical and surgical center that provides the best in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Steiger designed the center himself to best serve his patients. To schedule an appointment with Reardon, call 561-499-9339, or toll-free at 866-994-FACE (3223) or visit drsteiger.com. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Jules Reardon

South Florida Motorsports (SFM) and Hard Rock International announced today a multi-year Founding Partnership surrounding the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. Hard Rock is the existing naming rights partner of Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins NFL team, University of Miami football team and the Miami Open, whose home campus will host Formula 1® for the first time on May 6-8, 2022. As a founding partner of the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, Hard Rock will have the unique opportunity to engage fans both onsite at the Miami International Autodrome and at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, home of the iconic Guitar Hotel. Part of the onsite activations for race weekend will include Hard Rock Beach Club, which spans the area by turns 11, 12 and 13. A landmark feature of the campus, Hard Rock Beach Club will give guests a uniquely South Florida environment to enjoy all of the racing action, including a nearly 24,000 square-foot beach, resort-style pools and two levels of luxury cabanas plus special musical performances. Located just 15 minutes from the Miami International Autodrome, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood will host the official kick-off party for race weekend on Thursday, May 5 and the official after parties of the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix weekend. Known for its world-class entertainment, Hard Rock will bring globally recognized superstar acts to celebrate the inaugural race in Miami. A complete entertainment schedule across all Hard Rock venues will be announced at a later date. Hard Rock will also receive enhanced brand awareness across the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix digital network as well as TV-visible trackside signage. To celebrate this special partnership, Hard Rock created a custom-made Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix light show theme on the façade of The Guitar Hotel. In a moment of connection across the city, both The Guitar Hotel and Hard Rock Stadium were illuminated in Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix colors and imagery. Jeremy Walls, Senior Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer of Hard Rock Stadium & Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix said: “We are excited to have Hard Rock’s global iconic brand as a founding partner of the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. The Hard Rock Beach Club will be a unique experience on the MIA campus, featuring International musical artists, and a high-energy Miami vibe with beach cabanas and resort-style pools.” “Hard Rock is proud to partner with the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix on this international event,” said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International. “With venues in 70 countries around the world, we welcome the spotlight right here in South Florida where our flagship Guitar Hotel is located.” By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Miami Grand Prix

On Wednesday, April 6th , Veronica Beard came together at ZZ’s Club in Miami’s Design District to celebrate inspiring women with an intimate evening of community and conversation in celebration of Veronica Beard’s Make It Happen campaign. The event brought together luminary women from Miami’s fashion, philanthropy, art and technology industries. The evening began with a panel conversation moderated by Veronica Beard founders, Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard and featured model and entrepreneur, Karolina Kurkova, editorial director of Vogue Mexico & Latin America, Karla Martinez de Salas, and co-founder of Gilt Groupe, Glam Squad and Clerisy Capital, Alexandra Wilkis Wilson. Guests dined while listening to these inspirational women discuss what “making it happen” means to them, then returned to the party following the conversation’s wrap. The result was a moving evening where additional friends of the brand including Katie Sturino, Liv Perez, Jessica Wang, Valeria Lipovetsky, Sai De Silva, Martha Graeff, Isaac Boots and others, met, mingled, and enjoyed an inspired evening of true community building. Guests were invited to join Miele Beard and Swanson Beard the following day, Thursday April 7th, for Veronica Beard’s first #VBGIVESBACK Day with new partner, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) where the brand is raising resources for the over four million refugees who have been forced to flee Ukraine. As we watched the events unfold in Ukraine, we immediately felt compelled to help, and our #VBGIVESBACK program is the most effective way for us to do that. The work that the IRC is doing to support refugees and displaced people in and around Ukraine and the rest of the world is so impactful and hands on; we are so inspired by the meaningful assistance they are able to provide. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of ZZ’s Club, Miami

From South America to Spain, empanadas are a traditional part of Latin American and Caribbean culture. And with Miami being coined as the “Capitol of Latin America,” empanadas have become essential to the Magic City’s culinary scene. Though each country’s version is slightly different, these golden-brown, stuffed pastries come in a wide variety of savory and sweet flavors. Whether you call them empanadas, empanadillas, pastelitos or pastelillos, what could be better than a day to celebrate this perfect pastry than National Empanada Day on April 8?! Kuba Cabana, a lively restaurant which stems from the beautiful traditions of Latin and Caribbean music, cuisine and culture offers a selection of empanadas that are hand-crafted, in house. Located in CityPlace Doral, the energetic venue, which serves a modern Latin-inspired menu, can best be described as an atmosphere where “Old World Cuba Meets Modern Miami.” Kuba Cabana’s empanadas are a delicious way to celebrate Empanada Day! Offerings include: Two beef empanadas served with herb mayo – $10 Two chicken empanadas served with red pepper aioli – $10 In addition to empanadas, the menu offers international Latin flare favorites such as the Pollo Barbacoa, Chuleta Ahumada and Kuviche – Kuba Cabana's classic ceviche with a Cuban twist, and more! Kuba Cabana is an energetic, experience-based dining destination serving a Latin-inspired, modern Miami menu. Featuring flavors from throughout the world, the experience can be described as “Old World Cuba Meets Modern Miami.” Stemming from the beautiful traditions of Latin music, cuisine and culture, Kuba Cabana is located in City Place Doral and founded by UMG Hospitality Group. Current dinner hours of operation are Sunday 1 p.m.–close, Monday–Friday 4 p.m.–close, and Saturday 3 p.m.–close. For those seeking an upscale late-night party, the lounge portion of the Social Club is open Thursday–Sunday, midnight to close. It is located at 8300 NW 36th Street, Doral, FL 33166. For more information, visit www.kubamiami.com. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Kuba Cabana

Ecologically and culturally diverse, Miami extends a friendly ¡Bienvenidos! for responsible, green-minded visitors. From eco-friendly hotels and low-impact activities to give-back voluntourism opportunities that help the community, the greater Miami area offers many chances to support conservation efforts, observe wildlife and leave little or no trace of your time here. Here are some brilliant ways to be mindful and kind while helping the Magic City retain its natural magic. ECO-FRIENDLY ATTRACTIONS Fairchild Garden Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, an 83-acre oasis with collections of rare tropical palms, cycads and flowering trees, plays an important role in the conservation of South Florida’s endangered plants through seed banking and reintroduction of rare plants. The garden is open daily, showcasing its bizarre, beautiful plants, petite waterfalls, edible garden and butterfly conservatory. The eco-friendly bookstore features fair trade products and books on tropical gardening and cuisine. Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, a rehab center for injured seabirds, offers tours and a sunset birding cruise. Seabird Station Pelican Harbor Seabird Station cares for more than 1,000 injured brown pelicans and seabirds, raptors, songbirds and reptiles every year, most victims of fishing tackle. There are self-guided and custom tours, along with a two-hour sunset birding cruise. Shark Valley A 50-minute drive from downtown Miami, the Shark Valley Visitor Center walking and bike trail in Everglades National Park is an amazing, 150-mile loop through alligators, wading birds and Florida’s famed River of Grass, the largest subtropical wetland in North America. Rent a bike there or take the two-hour tram tour by a park-trained naturalist. Deering Estate leads guided kayak tours of Biscayne Bay and the historic property’s restricted natural areas. Deering Estate The 1920s home of American businessman and philanthropist Charles Deering, the Deering Estate is best known as a backdrop for the 1980s TV series “Miami Vice” and the starting line for “The Amazing Race All-Stars” in 2007, but it also is the site of the largest virgin coastal tropical hardwood hammock in the continental United States. Along with a sustainability film series and lectures, there are Biscayne Bay cruises, tours of the property’s restricted natural areas and guided butterfly walks. Biscayne National Park Within sight of downtown Miami, the underwater Biscayne National Park is 172,971 acres of shallow bay waters, coral limestone, shoreline mangroves and one of the largest coral reefs in the world. The Biscayne National Park Institute provides eco-adventures that include snorkeling shipwrecks and coral reefs, cruising to islands, and paddling lagoons. The visitor center also rents paddle craft for self-guided tours. Zoo Miami With more than 40 endangered species among its 3,000 animals living in open-air spaces, the 750-acre Zoo Miami is involved in wildlife and environmental conservation initiatives around the world. Staff vets help track flamingos, Florida panthers, rare bonneted bats and other threatened species while also nursing sick or injured animals. Its “Zoo Doo” program recycles manure from elephants and rhinos with landscape debris to sell as high-quality natural fertilizer to the public. South Florida Breadbasket South of the city, the Redland-Homestead area is Miami’s rich agritourism region, where visitors can spend an entire day picking tomatoes or strawberries at Knauss Berry Farm, slurping mamey or mango shakes at Robert is Here produce stand, sampling tropical wine at Schnebly Winery and learning about exotic fruit at Fruit and Spice Park. ECO-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES Bike Tours Bike tours of some of Miami’s most famous neighborhoods are low-impact ways to get to know the city. HistoryMiami museum, Bike and Roll Miami, and Wynwood Mural Tours are among the many operators that offer guides through Wynwood Art District, the Design District, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, among other gems. Oleta River State Park Oleta River State Park, Florida’s largest urban park, has over 10 miles of intermediate mountain bike trails and seven miles of trails and paths for beginners. The park’s saltwater lagoon is a popular swimming hole. An on-site outdoor center rents kayaks, paddleboards and canoes while also providing paddleboard yoga sessions, intro to paddleboarding classes and mangrove paddle tours. Rent to Explore The Virginia Key Outdoor Center rents kayaks, paddleboards and bikes from the mangrove-formed island of Virginia Key, with its crystal-clear waters and stunning views of the downtown Miami skyline. For families, quad bikes that seat four plus two small children can be rented to paddle around nearby Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center at the north end of Crandon Park, also on Key Biscayne, is a conservation-minded nonprofit that hosts family seagrass outings, nature photography exhibits and sea turtle release parties. Miami EcoAdventures Miami EcoAdventures, run by the county parks system, offers kayak and canoe tours, catch-and-release fishing lessons and snorkeling adventures. Directory of Fishing Guides The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission provides a searchable directory of outfitters and fishing guides who follow environmentally ethical best practices. Citizen Scientists The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami offers “Citizen Science” opportunities twice a year to accompany scientists on shark tagging expeditions out of the school’s Key Biscayne research center. It also hosts a year-round Sea Secrets lecture series by international scientists and explorers. FOOD AND DINING Farm to Table Farm-to-table restaurants in Miami benefit from South Florida’s plentiful agriculture, but some go above and beyond to offer ethical, sustainable dining. A rooftop garden, compost program and up-cycled décor set apart the Coconut Grove beer-and-burger joint Lokal, the first 100% clean, renewably powered restaurant in Miami. KYU At KYU, a popular wood-fired Asian barbecue spot in Wynwood, an in-house Orca composter turns food waste into water and diners can choose from a menu option to “Buy 50 Trees for $5,” with the restaurant matching donations. DIRT, Certified Whether you’re paleo, vegan or just a healthy eater, DIRT is a quick-stop café with locations in Miami Beach and downtown Miami’s Brickell neighborhood. Its vegetable-forward menu of sandwiches and salads identifies farmers and purveyors, and it’s one of the few restaurants in Florida to be certified by the U.S. Healthful Food Council’s Responsible Epicurean and Agricultural Leadership (REAL) program Arsht Center Farmers Market Every Monday at 6:30 p.m., Floribbean star chef Allen Susser provides a five-course, plant-based dinner inspired by fresh, local produce in the middle of the Arsht Center Farmers Market in downtown Miami. The Taste of Redland Dinner/Brunch Series is a new initiative offering a winter-time meal series on local farms featuring celebrity chefs; look for updates about scheduled dinners here. Coconut Grove Farmers Market The Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market, held every Saturday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., is a fun place to stop for raw-food lunch and snacks. Coconut Grove is also home to vShops, a small vegan food hall anchored by Choices Café, as well as a bakery, pizzeria, smoothie counter and “ice dream” parlor. Nearby, The Last Carrot has been serving fresh juices and veggie fare since the 1970s. Michael’s Genuine For fine dining, James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz is credited with reviving the fresh, local ingredient craze with his pioneering Design District restaurant, Michael’s Genuine, where the menu changes daily with fresh seafood and wood oven-roasted vegetables, among other specialties. Area 31 Area 31 on the 16th floor of the Epic Hotel in downtown Miami offers sustainable yellow tail, swordfish and other seafood caught by community fishermen in Fishing Area 31, an international zone designated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization as a sustainable fishery. ECO-FRIENDLY TRANSPORTATION Underline to Come Still in its planning stages, The Underline is a 10-mile linear park in the spirit of The High Line in New York City and Atlanta’s BeltLine that will connect downtown Miami to its southern suburbs. Charging Stations If you’re driving an electric or hybrid vehicle, you can plot your course for charging stations on Plugshare. By Jodi Mailander Farrell. Image courtesy of Fairchild Garden. Special thanks to Visitflorida.org for this story reprint

OutFit – an innovative mobile fitness service bringing convenient, affordable, expertly-led private training and group fitness classes to parks and neighborhoods – is celebrating one year of premium outdoor workouts in the West Broward community. CEO and Founder Randy Hetrick will host a birthday party at the OutPost at Westfield Broward Mall on Sunday, April 10, 2022, at 8:15 a.m. The free event is open to the public and will feature a special hour-long workout to highlight a sample of OutFit’s class offerings led by “Outfitters in Charge” along with a live DJ. Hetrick will welcome guests and then participate in the workout. The birthday party class will incorporate OutFit’s roster of diverse classes including its signature HIIT (high intensity interval training) Strength Circuit, HIIT Cardio Circuit, Total HIIT Circuit, Tabata Circuit, Cardio Line Circuit, Strength Line Circuit, Interval Down Circuit, 30/30 HIIT Circuit and Zumba®. The class will conclude with a Yoga Flow and stretching. Founder Randy Hetrick, a former Navy SEAL and Founder of TRX®, launched the pilot program in West Broward in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic when many of the fitness industry’s most seasoned trainers and innovators found themselves out of work and gyms closed everywhere. Hetrick brought together a team of veteran fitness industry executives to form OutFit. OutFit delivers large, circuit-style classes that are open workouts conveniently located in beautiful public spaces coined “training grounds.” The 50-minute classes provide the perfect blend of strength, cardio, flexibility, and fun. Each class is led by an expertly trained fitness coach, named an “OutFitter in Charge,” who arrives in an on-demand fitness van equipped with TRX® training gear and a heart-pumping sound and light system. The free birthday party workout may be booked through the OutFit Training app using the code "BIRTHDAY1" The free app may be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play. Guests are encouraged to bring a yoga mat and towel. To learn more about OutFit’s services, subscriptions, and franchise opportunities, visit www.OutFitTraining.com. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Outfittraining

Iter Investments, a venture capital firm that deploys capital primarily in businesses operating in and around the burgeoning psychedelic industry, is proud to announce that Founder and Managing Principal Dustin Robinson, Esq. is speaking at the Benzinga Psychedelics Capital Conference alongside Kevin O’Leary of ABC’s Shark Tank and other leading psychedelic investors. The Benzinga Psychedelics Capital Conference, the premier gathering of psychedelics and forward-thinking investors, will take place at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach on April 19. In addition to Robinson and O’Leary, the panel will include Timothy Schlidt, co-founder and partner of Palo Santo Fund; and Lindsay Hoover, managing partner of JLS Fund. The panel, “Investing in Psychedelics: Differentiating Opportunities Between the Private and Public Companies,” will take place at 10:30 a.m. EDT. “It is humbling to be part of this panel with an impressive lineup of experienced investors in the industry at the Benzinga Psychedelics Capital Conference,” said Robinson. “As the psychedelics industry continues to receive an increasing amount of acceptance, there are many questions about how to get involved or invest into the industry. I look forward to sharing my expertise as a venture capitalist and investor in the space.” Iter Investments’ mission is to help entrepreneurs build great companies that use medical and scientific research to reimagine the health care industry’s approach to addressing mental health indications. Robinson is a leader within the cannabis and psychedelic ecosystems and has been ranked by Psychedelic Invest as the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Psychedelics.” As a licensed attorney and certified public accountant with a law firm that exclusively works in the cannabis and psychedelic space and as the founder of a leading non-profit that is paving the way for psychedelic legalization, Robinson is an expert in understanding and capitalizing on opportunities within highly regulated industries. In addition to Iter Investments, Robinson is co-founder of psychedelics data platform Nucleus; founding partner of cannabis and psychedelics law firm Mr. Cannabis Law; and co-founder of psychedelic non-profit Mr. Psychedelic Law. To purchase tickets to the Benzinga Psychedelics Capital Conference, please visit: https://www.benzinga.com/events/psychedelics/general-admission/. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Dustin Robinson