Spotlight 118-250704

Good morning. What we’re covering in today’s Spotlight:

The Promise of a Pool Unmet
Storm Season at the Playhouse
Anger Over Miami’s New Election Date
Free WiFi for Miami Parks

Ransom Everglades Faces Scrutiny Over Access to ‘Community Pool’

Once hailed as a model of student-led outreach, the private Coconut Grove school’s Broad REACH community pool now serves few who are unable to pay. Critics say the spirit of the promise — and the access — has dried up.

By Maria O’Brien

Fifteen years ago, as Ransom Everglades School lobbied – in the face of fierce neighborhood opposition – for city approval of a massive Olympic-sized swimming pool at its seven-acre, bayfront campus in Center Grove, school officials dangled an enticing offer:

As part of the project they would build, at the school’s own expense, a smaller, adjacent “community pool” accessible to less privileged families throughout the Grove and beyond.

The plan worked. Two years later, in January 2012, the school’s $12.5 million, two-pool aquatics center officially opened.

“This pool,” reads a small plaque beside the smaller of the two pools, “was built to be shared with the whole community as an expression of Ransom Everglades’ commitment to instilling in its young people the ethic of giving more to the world than one takes from it.”

Weather-Proof the Playhouse, HEPB Tells the County

Miami’s Historic and Environmental Preservation Board expressed concern again this week about the lack of protection in place to safeguard the 99-year-old Coconut Grove Playhouse during the county’s demolition and reconstruction project.

By Don Finefrock

Miami’s Historic and Environmental Preservation Board continues to grapple with how to get Miami-Dade County to respond to its concerns over the dilapidated state of the Coconut Grove Playhouse and the potential for “demolition by neglect.”

After learning this week that the 99-year-old playhouse has been left open to the elements – its windows removed and the openings uncovered during the first phase of the county’s demolition and restoration project – the board directed its preservation officer to demand that the county weather-proof the structure.

“That is a profoundly concerning either oversight on their part, or insouciance on their part, I’m not sure, or negligence,” HEPB Vice Chair Luis Prieto y Munoz said Tuesday at the board’s monthly meeting.

Miami Mayoral Candidate Sues to Block Election Shift

The Miami City Commission voted last week to move this year’s election to 2026 without asking voters to approve the switch. The decision is now being challenged in court.

By Spotlight Staff

Former Miami City Manager Emilio Gonzalez, one of a handful of candidates competing to be Miami’s next mayor, has gone to court to block the City of Miami from moving this year’s election to 2026.

Gonzalez filed a lawsuit this week against the city to prevent the shift, saying the city “unconstitutionally bypassed the democratic will of the people in a way that the Florida Constitution, the Miami-Dade Charter, and the City’s Charter expressly prohibit.”

The Miami City Commission voted last week to move all future elections – including the November 2025 election – to even-numbered years to coincide with state and federal elections. Miami District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo proposed the shift, saying the move would boost voter turnout.

Opponents condemned the move as a power grab, since the shift would allow current mayor Francis Suarez and all five city commissioners, including Pardo, to remain in office for an extra year without voter approval.

City of Miami Installs Free Wi-Fi in 15 Parks

Park patrons can now stay connected at more Miami parks, including two parks in Coconut Grove, after the successful completion of the first phase of the Wi-Fi for Parks Project – a City of Miami initiative providing free public internet service to residents and visitors in underserved neighborhoods. Among the 15 parks now offering free wi-fi are the Kirk Munroe Tennis Center and Virrick Park in Coconut Grove.

The city announced the new service this week, saying neighborhoods lacking stable internet connections will benefit from increased access to various online resources – students can use digital educational platforms outside the classroom while workers and people seeking employment now have spaces to work remotely. The initiative will also benefit public safety efforts by improving communication and outreach of city resources. In making the announcement, the city highlighted its goal to make innovation more accessible and progress toward creating more inclusive and connected communities. For a complete list of affected parks, read the city’s announcement here.

Where We’ll Be

Grove & Glory: Your July Fourth Rundown.

Ready for sparklers, marching bands, and centennial sky shows? This Fourth of July, Miami’s got something for every kind of patriot — from neighborhood parades to historical readings to all-out fireworks finales. Here’s where to wave the flag and make the most of your red, white, and groove:

Launch your Fourth in the Grove with Out Loud Across America, a community celebration at the Woman’s Club. Bonus: It opens with lawn readings from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Bring a chair, bring a blanket, bring your voice. Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove, 11:00 a.m. (readings), party 2:00–6:00 p.m. Free.

March to the Key for the annual Key Biscayne Fourth of July Parade—a hometown classic with everything from golf carts to baton twirlers. Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne, 11:00 a.m. Free.

Red, White & Grove. Cross the street from the Woman’s Club, claim your patch of grass, and let the red, white, and woo-hoo commence. The Miami Symphony Orchestra takes the stage under the stars, led by Maestro Eduardo Marturet in a patriotic power set. Taste of the Grove, presented by the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District, brings the bites, local restaurants bring the heat, and the Kids Zone keeps the little ones buzzing. Cap it all off with a drone-and-fireworks finale to light up the sky. Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Road. Friday 7/4 from 3:05 to 9:00 p.m. with valet parking for bikes starting at 6 p.m. Free.

Glide into the evening at A Gables Fourth, the city’s centennial celebration at the Biltmore. Expect a live concert, a Coral Gables–themed drone show, and a grand finale fireworks display — plus food trucks and bike valet. Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, grounds open 5:00 p.m., concert 7:00 p.m., show at 9:00 p.m. Free.

Wherever you land, may your Fourth be loud, lit, and full of local love.

Celebrate the Fourth on the Fifth. Beat the Friday crowds and join the Barnacle’s belated holiday celebration at its fifth-annual Fourth of July cookout. Festivities include a barbecue picnic, music and games for the whole family. Don’t forget to sign the Declaration of Independence replica before you go. The Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Highway. Saturday 7/5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Park admission fees apply.

Yoga with Sam. Recover from the Boom! Boom! Boom! with a gentle hour of movement, breath, and restoration. All levels welcome. Just bring a mat, wear something comfy, and come as you are. Shenandoah Branch Library, 2111 Southwest 19th Street. Saturday 7/5 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Free.

Matilda Jr. Roald Dahl’s pint-sized powerhouse hits the stage in a musical bursting with rebellion, imagination, and a whole lot of clever kids. Area Stage Black Box Theatre, 5701 Sunset Drive, Suite 286. Saturday and Sunday 7/5–7/6. Four performances only. Tickets.

Disney’s Tarzan. Go ape for this jungle-sized musical with heart, high-flying action, and Phil Collins on the soundtrack. Area Stage, The Shops at Sunset Place, 2nd floor. Opens Thursday 7/17. Shows Thursdays through Sundays at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. Tickets.

Binding Histories. Make a book, share a story, and be part of a community art installation at Vizcaya. Drop-in workshops happen every weekend through mid-July. Vizcaya Village Garage, across from the main estate. Weekends through 7/13. Free with registration.

Save Me a Seat

“This Life: Black Life in the Time of Now.” Experience powerful artwork and an immersive virtual reality experience presented by the Miami Museum of Contemporary Art of the African Diaspora. This 28-minute documentary and exhibition will explore contemporary Black life, followed by a Q&A session. For ages 12+. Coconut Grove Branch Library, 2875 McFarlane Road. Saturday 7/12 from 2 to 4 p.m. Free with registration.

Mango Festival. Juicy, joyful, and totally tropical. Fairchild’s famous fruit bash returns with rare varieties, mango-fueled dishes, cocktails, music, games, and more. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road. Saturday 7/12 and Sunday 7/13. Tickets online.

A Book Event with Michael Grunwald. The bestselling author of “The Swamp,” Coconut Grove resident Michael Grunwald discusses his new book “We Are Eating the Earth” about the complex relationship between our food systems and the growing climate crisis. Books & Books is partnering for this event with The CLEO Institute, which aims to mitigate climate change by encouraging environmental advocacy and education. You can purchase a copy of the book at the event or online. Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables. Monday 7/14 from 7 to 8 p.m. RSVP for free.