The City of Miami Beach continues to strive to deliver outstanding, enhanced services to its residents, businesses and visitors while increasing value for the tax dollars paid and implementing changes to ensure the long-term sustainability of the City.

In an effort to make further improvements, the City of Miami Beach will once again be conducting a citywide opinion survey to residents and businesses in early 2007. The survey will be conducted by the Hay Group (an internationally recognized survey research firm with 29 years of proven experience). The goal of the survey is to identify key strengths and to develop recommendations for improving public’s satisfaction and quality of life.

It is very important that each household contacted respond. The surveys will be conducted in English and Spanish.

The community survey conducted by the City of Miami Beach in early 2005 provided insight into areas that the City should focus on and improve further. The information was used to develop the City of Miami Beach Strategic Plan that sets measurable outcomes for the City to achieve that reflected community priorities and to implement improvements in these areas. Many accomplishments have been made since the plan was developed.

To view the complete results from the 2005 community survey, click here.

Any questions about the survey can be directed to the City’s Answer Center at 305.604.CITY (2489).

On Friday, January 5, 2007, beginning at 9:00 PM, thru Monday, January 8 at 6:00 AM the contractor will begin the removal and replacement of the curb and gutter at the southwest corner of 63rd Street (State Road 907) and Indian Creek Drive, (State Road A1A). The 63rd Street Bridge will be closed to eastbound traffic.

On Friday, January 12, 2007, beginning at 9:00 PM, thru Monday, January 15th at 6:00 AM the contractor will begin the milling and replacement of the asphalt base at the intersection of 63rd street (State Road 907) and Indian Creek Drive (State Road A1A). The 63rd Street Bridge will be closed to (eastbound and westbound) traffic.

For more information, click here or or contact Ural Morris, Public Information Specialist, at 786-489-0389.

Miami Design Preservation League will be presenting the 30th Annual Art Deco Weekend from January 12 through 14, 2007, Ocean Drive, between 5 and 15 streets, Miami Beach. The theme for the 2007 event is "East Meets West: Art Deco from Shanghai to Miami," investigating the Art Deco architecture found not only in Shanghai, but across the entire Pacific Rim. Public programs, films, and lectures will echo this theme - positioning Art Deco as history's first truly international design style. Art Deco Weekend features more than 85 events.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12: Noon to 11 p.m.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

As part of the Planned Progress Capital Improvement Program, a Multi-Purpose Parking Facility will be built soon behind Miami Beach City Hall at Meridian Avenue, just north of 17th Street.

Please join City staff and the contractor for a community meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 10 at 6:00 p.m. at the City Commission Chambers, to discuss the construction plans, parking alternatives and phasing for this facility. We welcome your participation in this important process.

SATURDAY, JAN. 6 @ 3PM
The Theatre Institute of South Florida will give a free performance of William Shakespeare’s classic play, Othello, at North Shore Open Space Park, located at 81 Street and Collins Avenue.

Miami Beach’s free “Arts in the Parks” monthly cultural arts series continues to offer a diverse range of events from Shakespearean play to jazz and symphony concerts.

Sunday, February 25, 2007, 3:00 p.m. – Enjoy the sounds of jazz during a three-hour performance by the Sunshine Jazz Organization at Flamingo Park, located at 11 Street and Jefferson Avenue.

Sunday, March 11, 2007, 2:00 p.m. – The 100-piece Greater Miami Youth Symphony performs at Flamingo Park, located at 11 Street and Jefferson Avenue.

Everyone is encouraged to bring beach chairs and towels, as well as picnic baskets and coolers.

You have seen them pedaling swiftly along the streets in packs. Now, you too can join the tour. The monthly Miami Beach Community Bike Ride begins on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. The free two-hour bike ride starts at the Miami Beach Bicycle Center, 601 5th Street (corner of 5th Street & Washington Avenue). Bicyclists of all abilities are invited to participate. The bike ride will be held on the second Saturday of every month. The bike route varies from month to month, but usually covers the entire length of the city.

Pre-registrations are preferred but not required. The bike shop opens at 8:15 a.m., and every rider needs to register before each ride. Helmets are required during the ride. Bring your own bike and helmet, or rent a bicycle and helmet for the ride. Bike rentals are limited. Water will be provided.

The Miami Beach Police Department provides an escort throughout the entire ride to ensure the bikers safety.

To pre-register or for more information, contact Christine Leduc, Miami Beach Bicycle Coordinator, at 305.673.7080. The event is partially sponsored by Navarro Discount Pharmacies.

A CERT Basic Training Course will be held on Wednesday, February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 7 and 14 2007 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Miami Beach Fire Station #2, 2300 Pinetree Drive, Miami Beach.

CERT training is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Because emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, you can make a difference by using the Basic CERT Training to save lives and protect property.

Please register online here or call 305.673.7123 and ask for Valerie Montgomery to register by phone.

Join over 200 Miami Beach Residents and Business Owners. Enrollment opens for Spring 2007 Neighborhood Leadership Academy Applications will be accepted until March 5, 2007 or until the class is full. Enrollment to the academy is limited. The free Neighborhood Leadership Academy is one semester including 13 weekly, two-hour evening sessions. The first class begins Monday, March 12, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, in the Commission Chambers, third floor, 1700 Convention Center Drive.

Click here for online registration.

The Miami Beach Commission on the Status of Women is accepting nominations for the Women Worth Knowing awards until January 26, 2007. Women Worth Knowing honors three local women for their contributions to the community. Nominees should be involved in civic or professional activities that have changed the community. The woman must either be a resident of Miami Beach for at least five years or own or work in a business in the community for at least five years.

Don't miss out on the special purchase prices for PCs, laptops and other computer equipment offered to Miami Beach residents. The discounts are a result of the contract between IBM and the City of Miami Beach to provide free citywide WiFi. Visit the Lenovo personal page for City of Miami Beach residents to purchase IBM equipment at discounted prices.

In the expanded December/January issue of the award-winning MB magazine get a glimpse of this year's festival season; journey through the history of the Jackie Gleason Theater; get a better understanding of homelessness; and see examples of improvements made as a result of last year's survey as the City prepares for another citywide survey in January; and much, much more...

Miami Beach City Clerk's Office catalogs historic photographs and other items of Miami Beach. Share your Miami Beach historic photographs and memorabilia to help to continue to build the City's archives. Contact Liliam Hatfield at 305.673.7411 or via E-mail to liliamhatfield@miamibeachfl.gov.

1923 Seminole Indians and Henri Levy in the center - Seminole Indians friends, photographed to attract prospective real estate buyers. Donated by June Newbauer.

Exhibit Features Miami Beach Through January 14, 2007, you can "Check in" to the Historical Museum of South Florida to experience Miami Beach's glamourous past and learn how a mangrove-covered sandbar was transformed into the fascinating, diverse city that it is today. Click here for more on Miami Beach: America's Tropical Resort. FREE museum entrance on Saturdays.

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