February is the short month. And it is almost over already. Key word: Almost.
Because first, there are a few more poltical events for the Cortadito Calendar:
A town hall without an elected, a film screening, a fundraiser, a party to open a shiny new police station, another moratorium on medical marijuana, more talk about transit and, egads, bromeliads — and, yes, another protest of Donald Trump.
We even have events on Saturday! But Friday is a free day.
As always, keep sending info on your government meetings, campaign events and political powwows to edevalle@gmail.com and keep your Cortadito Calender caliente!
MONDAY — Feb. 20
11 a.m. — Okay. So there is still a protest. The Labor Community Roundtable United Front Against Trump has obtained a permit to peacefully rally against president Donald Trump on President’s Day because “he has attacked 
every value we embody and does not represent our interests.” The gathering at the Torch of Friendship in downtown Miami, 301 Biscayne Blvd., is called the Miami Not My President’s Day Rally and it will protest not just Trump’s anti-immigration order, but but everything under the umbrella of “the un-American policies of the current White House.” They include the Muslim ban, the border wall, the pipeline that threatens to destroy sacred lands, the White House website purged of certain information, the lack of action on climate change. Why not 
throw the kitchen sink at him, too? His failure to release tax returns? His constant calling of the media “the enemy of the American people”? His cushy relationship with Putin? His terrible cabinet choices? Ladra has a feeling all of that will be fair game. “Donald Trump stands against the progress we have worked hard to enact. He does not represent our interests. He was voted in by a minority of the American public but governs as if there’s no resistance. But there is — and on February 20th, we will honor previous presidents by exercising our constitutional right to assemble and peacefully protest everything Donald Trump stands for,” says the invite on Facebook. “There is a congressional recess on February 20th that aligns with President’s Day. Let’s rally while our federal representatives are back in town and remind them who they represent.”
TUESDAY — Feb. 21
10 a.m. — The North Corridor Transit Coalition will meet to discuss progress on the north-south corridor along 27th Avenue. Expected to attend: Miami-Dade Commissioners Barbara Jordan, Jean Monesteim and Audrey Edmonson as well as Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert and other officials. Transportation and Public Works Director Alice Bravo will likely be there as well. The meeting is at Jordan’s district office, 2780 NW 167th St.
6 p.m. — It looks like pot shops and cell phone towers are not wanted in Miami Lakes. 
The town is the next local government body to consider a moratorium on issuing permits or approving any plans for medical marijuana dispensaries or treatment centers for 180 days. This is what tops the planning and zoning board’s agenda for Tuesday’s meeting. They are also considering a moratorium on telecommunications towers. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at government center, 6601 Main Street.
7 p.m. — The Kendall Dems and the Democrats of South Dade will have journalist Michael Grunwald, former senior national correspondent at Time magazine, speak at their regular monthly meeting at the Unitarian Universalists Congregation, 7701 SW 76th St. Social time is at 7 p.m., the business meeting starts at 7:30 and the speaker starts at 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY — Feb. 22
9:30 a.m. — The Miami-Dade Commission meets again (for the fourth time in 15 days) and will have mosquitos on 
the agenda again. A controversial proposal to ban the use of bromeliads in county landscaping was deferred on Feb. 7 after several nursery owners and experts balked at the idea that they are breeding grounds for the Zika-carrying mosquitos. And while it’s gotten less attention, they also may vote to instruct the mayor or his designee to award more than $77 million worth of contracts for various engineering and design services for our state- and federally-mandated water and sewer repairs. These contracts are bunched up, more than one per item, and on the consent agenda so they may not get a lot of discussion (more on that later). Also on the table for Wesdnesday: The creation of a stadium district zoning overlay around the Hard Rock Stadium to be administered by the city of Miami Gardens; bid waivers to increase existing contracts for RicMan and Lanzo Construction work on Shenandoah area water and sewer mains by $5.2 million and $4.3 million, respectively; loaning a developer $17.5 million in housing bond funds for acquisition and development of Hadley Garden Apartments; and a report from Mayor Carlos Gimenez on potential funding for a Miami Museum of Contemporary Art of the African Diaspora (hint: there ain’t no public money except a $100,000 grant). Oh, and they’re going to spend $155 million in aviation funds. The meeting is at County Hall, 111 NW First Street.
6 p.m. — Miami Dade Young Democrats and Downtown Democrats will jointly present a screening of the documentary film 13th, which argues that slavery is being effectively perpetuated in the U.S. through mass encarceration of African Americans. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion on race and politics in the U.S. criminal justice system. It is at the offices of the New Florida Majority, 8330 Biscayne Blvd. The New Majority will also be meeting at 7 p.m. to discuss plans for the April 29 climate march.
THURSDAY — Feb. 23
6 p.m. — North Beach residents are hosting a fundraiser for Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Grieco‘s run for 
city mayor. The hosts include Brad Bonessi, Diego Caiola, Richard Hall, Rick Kendle, Mickey Minagorri, Dr. Todd and Corey Narson, Betsy and Rudy Perez, Tom Richarson, Luis and Gloria Salom and Daniel Veitia. Wait, isn’t Betsy Perez the plant that Mayor Philip Levine backed against his colleague, Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez. Awkward! Grieco has already raised $340,000 as of Jan. 31. But he wants more to fight former State Sen. Dan Gelber, who filed paperwork at the end of January and has no contributions to report yet. Grieco’s fete begins at George’s Italian Restaurant, 300 72nd St., at 6 p.m.
6 p.m. — Don’t go to the constituent town hall meeting with Sen. Marco Rubio if you actually 
expect to see the former POTUS wannabe live in person. He has not confirmed. The Facebook event invite says there will be “numerous panelists” and speakers ready to address concerns. This really looks like a protest of his kowtowing to Donald Trump because it is hosted by Indivisible Miami, a group formed to resist Donal Trump’s policies and agenda. Pero por supuesto that he’s not going to confirm! Want to join others in beating him up verbally? Go to the Unitarian Universalists Congregation, 7701 SW 76th Street, which is also where the Democrats of South Dade Club has had its meetings for years. Not very subtle, guys. The town hall is from 6 to 9 p.m.
SATURDAY — Feb. 25
2 p.m. — The city of Homestead has completed the construction of its new police headquarters, reportedly on time 
and on bubdget. The 55,000-square-foot facility, at 45 NW 1st Ave., replaces the old police station (photographed left) built in 1912, which was outdated and had serious toxic levels of radon and mold, posing health risks to the officers and visitors. The new station, funded with a bond referendum approved by 74% of the voters in 2014, was designed by Rodriguez & Quiroga Architects and built by Munilla Construction Management. Expected to be part of the formula that revitalizes the downtown, the three-story station opened last week on Wednesday. But the grand opening public party — with music, free refreshments and an opportunity to meet the police force — is from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
5 p.m. — Libertarians will get together and share their grief and outrage and plans for the future at Republican Liberty Caucus of Miami’s spring quartlerly meeting Saturday at Groovy’s Pizza and Grill, 2770 SW 27th Ave. There will be discussion regarding the RLC National & State Convention in May, about the annual membership drive and the upcoming Tallahassee Days (March 13-14), where members will visit with state lawmakers to discuss their policy priorities. The guest speaker was still TBD as of this posting, but the discussion will likely be about changes in Florida law regarding solar panels and home-based energy generation. For more information, call Hector Roos at (305) 300-7237. There is no cost for the meeting, but you have to pay if you order from the menu.
The Cortadito Calendar for President’s Day week added by Ladra on
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