Creative Director & Publisher
NEW BEGINNINGS…
SOMI magazine starts its nineteenth year in showcasing the quality of life we enjoy in South Miami’s unique hometown, highlighting new beginnings in our civic and community life, and the prospect for dynamic developments in our town center.
As we see the crews and cranes transforming the Winn-Dixie site into a vibrant residential apartment building, in his State of the City address, South Miami’s mayor Javier Fernandez outlined some of the important decisions coming before the city commission: approval of the zoning changes to the Sunset Place parcel, and the prospect of redeveloping the city hall campus as well as other city-owned parcels.In this issue we introduce you to the designer who is destined to change the face of South Miami in going forward with the redevelopment of Sunset Place’s ten-acre site, South Miami’s new police chief, and the new CEO for ChamberSOUTH. For SOMI magazine we’re also fine-tuning our online presence and have published a new SOMI Guide (see www.somiguide.com ), which is online and available in print.
The ground has been broken on The Underline Phase 3 of the ten-mile urban trail, which is transforming a barren landscape under the Metrorail into a vibrant recreational community connector.
SoMi’s only art gallery, The Wirtz Gallery at United Community bank, continues to host local and international artists each month. And this month, the gallery has “gone Ape” – literally! Check out the current exhibition. Congratulations to the Area Stage Company team for continuing to present outstanding critically acclaimed performances. A production of Oliver is being presented at the Adrienne Arsht Center in February.
In this issue, take a walk with me as I visit some of the new businesses investing in our community. From food to fitness, take a walk around and see what’s new in town.
As we observe our respective religious and cultural traditions, I wish you and your families a blessed and joyful holiday season.
