The Mayor of Miami has got something cool planned for this Sunday, November 9, 2008. Get your bicycle, rollerblades, strollers ready — Bike Miami is going to take over the streets of downtown. From 10 am to 3pm, Flagler (from the Courthouse to Bayfront Park) and S. Miami Ave. (to Mary Brickell Village/10th St) will be open only to bike/pedestrian traffic!

We’re so excited about this event. We love that it is like "open play". You don’t have to start from any specific point. You don’t need to arrive at a specific time. Just get outside and have some fun. This is the kind of event people can participate in as they choose!

Of course, if you’d like to participate in something more structured, there are some planned activities. Go to Bayfront Park for PrayerDanse at 9:30 am or Yoga at 1pm. Rally with Mayor Manny Diaz at 11am on the corner of Biscayne & Flagler. After the rally, get a free tour from the Historical Museum, or free passes to Miami Art Museum.

And oh, did we mention the Valet Bike Parking at both Bayfront Park and Mary Brickell Village? Plus, bring your bike on public transit and ride free on Sunday.

After you’ve exhausted yourself by biking, rolling, and walking around downtown, participating in yoga, and shopping at the shops, swing by the Bike Miami After Party at Dolores, But You Can Call Me Lolita in Mary Brickell Village from 2 - 5pm. It’s being organized by our friends from Transit Miami.

For even MORE details, check out the Bike Miami Blog.

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As my friend Stephanie would say, "Green is the new Red, White, and Blue". So celebrate today by taking public transportation to see the fireworks. (That is, if the weather decides not to rain on our parade.) Here is a little diddy I made one year ago today:

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Today I just want to focus on the calendar a little bit, because there is so much going on tomorrow!

At 9 am tomorrow morning, September 9, you could get started on the Redland Ramble by going to Williams Grove for a smoothie. Then again, you could get ready for Critical Mass and show Miami drivers that bikes ARE TRAFFIC and don’t need to get out of the way! (Did you hear that Alesh?) Of course, there is always the Heart Walk, as well.

The Redland Ramble will continue through the day, rambling through the Fruit & Spice Park at 10:30am, Bee Heaven Farm at noon, and Schnebly Winery at 2:30pm.

In the evening tomorrow there will be a free showing of Don’t Box Me In, the award-winning Grove anti-Home Depot documentary.

As always, you can find green events on our calendar in the middle of the right sidebar of greenerMIAMI, or in our events section on Upcoming.org.

Additionally, if you’d like to get involved in group events with greenerMIAMI, sign up here. Start a discussion on what types of events you are looking for!

Finally, Sunday is the deadline for Miami bloggers to sign up for Miami’s first Cross Blogination that will take place on Sept 19. We’ve got 20 blogs signed up already!!

ps: It’s my birthday. If you want to give me a gift, tell someone new about greenerMIAMI.com. Thanks!

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At the recent Miami blogger gathering, Christian requested that we let others know about events before they happen, so that he and others have the opportunity to attend. Please note that all green/eco-events that I am informed of are located in the calendar on the right side bar, or on Upcoming.org.

Additionally, if you’d like to be a part of forming group events with greenerMIAMI, join the group and let us know what you are interested in.

However, the following event is one that you will not see on the calendar, since it happens three times a week, every week. It is FREE Yoga in Bayfront Park. The classes are exceptional, and best of all, free. I have been attending the Monday & Wednesday course, and the turnout is great: 20-30 people per class. Practically a 50/50 mix of male/female.

In order to arrive to the Tina Hills Pavilion (directly in front of the Bayfront Park Metromover stop), use the Metromover. At least two others in my class do the same. This is how I’ve been participating in my final weeks of Transit Miami’s Summer Transit Challenge.

From the site:

Held outdoors by the bay, these classes offer a unique atmosphere to relax and invigorate at the same time. In addition, participants can enjoy the stunning view.

All participants must be at least 18 years old and will have to sign a waiver. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis and the instructor will determine when the class is "full." Everyone must bring their own yoga mat, water, and towel.

FREE ADMISSION / All classes taught by a certified yoga teacher.

Classes are located at the Tina Hills Pavilion (south end of the park). In the event of rain, classes will take place in the Bayfront Park office.

Monday & Wednesday: 6:00pm-7:15pm
Saturday: 9:00am-10:15am

Beginners, intermediate and advanced welcome.

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This grassroots effort that encourages bikers, skateboarders, and bladers is scheduled to take off on Saturday, July 8, at 10 am from Vizcaya Metrorail Station.

The route will go along Bayshore Drive to Peacock Park in Coconut Grove. Free. All ages. Festive attire & props are encouraged!

Sponsored by: Emerge Miami, The Wallflower Gallery, Miami-Dade Green Party.

Complete details available at Miami IMC.

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Stuck on the Palmetto recently visited the Plantation Preserve Golf Course & Club in Broward County (map). He goes on to describe how the course is environmentally friendly, using special turfgrass that requires less irrigation and fertilization, is Audubon certified, and incorporates a linear park.

I covered this topic almost a year ago over at eco.psfk, however hadn’t heard of any local courses to which this concept applies. Do any readers know of any other local eco-friendly golf courses?

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Happy 4th of July! Have a great, safe holiday. Want to celebrate in a greener fashion? Our suggestion: Pick up some litter and dispose of it properly as you are enjoying your day outside.

Photo credit: Eldan, Flickr

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The Biscayne-Everglades Greenway project is one with the hopes of connecting these two national parks with a bike trail. A greenway is defined as a corridor for protected open space that is managed for conservation and/or recreation.

The first public meeting was held in Homestead last week, and we understand it was a great success. In the Herald article covering the meeting quotes Homestead Council member Judy Waldman, "The lengthy, multipurpose trail system — slated to run through Homestead, Florida City and other communities — would be the first of its kind in the country."

Sara Fain of the NPCA Suncoast Office tells us, "The presentation was well down and explained what they hope to accomplish with this greenway down in South Dade. The next step is raising all the funds needed to really get it done, but the commitment is definitely there."

The actual path has yet to be decided, with options of following existing canals or running through the downtown centers.

The deadline to review and comment on the project is Friday, July 14, 2006. The details on how to do so, as well as much more detailed information is available from the City of Homestead.

RC’s thoughts: I think this is a great idea. I didn’t get to attend the meeting, but support the concept 100%. I used to live in Denver, where a huge interconnected system of bike trails could bring you from way out in the suburbs (and beyond) into the city center and farther. It’s not just great for people, either. Creating a continuous greenspace allows animals and wildlife a safe habitat as well.

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The Wakodahatchee Wetlands were featured in the Miami Herald this weekend, with an article that really got me itchin’ to go visit. Visit the park’s website to take a virtual tour, see some incredible photographs, and to learn more about this park. Located in Palm Beach County, it’s a little bit away, but could be good as a day trip or a side-stop when you are up in that neck of the woods. Admission is free.

The website’s "What is Wakodahatchee?" section explains how this area is used to reclaim waste water:

The name, Wakodahatchee, has an interesting history. It is derived from the Seminole Indian Language and translates as "created waters." The created waters at Wakodahatchee Wetlands are an example of people giving something back to nature. Fifty acres of unused utilities land have been transformed into a wetlands ecosystem.

Every day, the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department’s Southern Region Water Reclamation Facility pumps approximately two million gallons of highly treated water into the Wakodahatchee Wetlands. By acting as a natural filter for the nutrients that remain, the wetlands work to further cleanse the water.

Traditional methods for disposal of treated waste water have included deep injection wells or ocean outfalls. More recent emphasis has been placed on highly treating and reclaiming waste water. The Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department is a pioneer in the fields of waste water treatment and reclaimed water distribution for irrigation purposes. The Wakodahatchee Wetlands are yet another example of the Department’s innovative and forward-thinking management philosophies.

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I’m very excited to report that the Florida Everglades is featured on the newest TreehuggerTV video. John Adornato, from the local National Parks Conservation Association, talks about a recent court decision regarding rock mines that are sucking water out of the Everglades. They also discuss the Everglades Skyway, Melaleuca, and restoration. I’d like to thank m_ss_ng p_eces for involving GreenerMiami in this project, and congratulate everyone involved!

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