Nominations open for In the Company of Women

The deadline to nominate an outstanding woman leader for the 2026 In the Company of Women Awards has been extended to Friday, December 19. All women in Miami-Dade County who exemplify professional development, community responsibility, leadership and vision, and contribute to women’s progress are eligible. The awards will be presented in March 2026 during Women’s History Month. Nominate a woman today.

BCC Chairman Anthony Rodriguez hosts

4^th Annual Tree Lighting 

County Commission Chairman Anthony Rodriguez hosted his 4^th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 20 at the Westchester Cultural Arts Center at Tropical Park. The event drew hundreds of neighbors, and members of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board joined the community for an evening filled with holiday cheer, carolers, dance performances, and a special visit by Mr. and Mrs. Clause. County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava joined in the festivities. 

Commissioner Marleine Bastien delivers

State of the District Address

County Commissioner Marleine Bastien delivered her State of the District Address on December 11 at the Miami Dade College North Campus. Her remarks featured key updates on major initiatives, highlighted accomplishments, and outlined priorities for District 2 for 2026. Residents had the opportunity to meet the Commissioner and hear about her plans for their neighborhoods.

Basel South Black Art Show

highlights South Dade talent

The South Dade Black History Center Advisory Board hosted its fifth annual Basel South Black Art Show on Dec. 5 at the South Dade Black History Center located at the Larcenia J. Bullard Plaza, 14508 Lincoln Blvd., in South Dade’s Richmond Heights neighborhood. The event brought together community members to celebrate South Dade’s rich artistic talent and cultural heritage. Attendees enjoyed an immersive evening featuring the work of featured artist Robert Sylvain, along with additional pieces presented by Rodney Royal, Fredrick Rich, Terran Steed, and Dominik Ambroise. The exhibit highlights the creativity, resilience and cultural contributions of local Black artists whose stories continue to shape Miami-Dade’s cultural landscape. The exhibit remains open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until mid-January 2026. 

Commission for Women hosts

event honoring Mary Brickell

On October 29 the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women (CFW), in partnership with K&L Gates, hosted an event honoring Mary Brickell – a true pioneer in Miami’s founding and one of only three women statewide inducted into the 2025 Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. CFW leadership proudly nominated Mary Brickell for the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame, and the evening brought together community leaders, historians, and members of Mary Brickell’s family, including her great-great-granddaughter Kimberly Frank, to celebrate her enduring legacy. The program included the official proclamation of October 29 as “Mary Brickell Day” in Miami-Dade County and remarks from local leaders. The event underscored the significance of honoring women’s stories and acknowledging women’s contributions to our dynamic Miami-Dade County. Learn more about the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame here.   

Community event for FIFA World Cup 2026

Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens will be hosting several matches next year in June and July for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the countries and matches were finally announced on December 5. Members and staff of the Asian-American Advisory Board, Black Affairs Advisory Board, and Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board were excited to join the Final Draw Watch Party that took place in Doral, joining community leaders and residents to celebrate this milestone moment as Miami-Dade County prepares to welcome the world in 2026.

Goodwill Ambassadors assist at District 12

Senior Holiday Luncheon

County Commissioner Juan Carlos Bermudez hosted his annual Senior Holiday Luncheon on December 10 at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center. The County’s Goodwill Ambassadors (GWAs) assisted with event set-up, registration, and helping the seniors with directions and seating. The GWAs are volunteer County employees who are trained in customer service, crowd control, and crisis management and are deployed to assist at special events and during high impact weekends such as Spring Break and Memorial Day weekend on Miami Beach. The GWAs are supported and directed by staff in the Office of Community Advocacy.

Community Relations Board assists with Commissioner Bastien's Turkey Distribution

On November 22, the Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board partnered with the Miami-Dade County Goodwill Ambassadors to assist County Commissioner Marleine Bastien, District 2, with her annual Turkey Distribution. The event was held at Oak Grove Park in northeast Miami-Dade.

Elder Affairs Advisory Board’s

Older Adult Resource Guide

The Miami-Dade County Elder Affairs Advisory Board (EAAB) has now printed its most recent “Older Adult Miami-Dade Resource Guide” in English, Spanish, and Creole. The Guide is a comprehensive list of organizations, services, and government offices that can assist seniors in Miami-Dade County. Additional information and resources on elder issues can be found at the Alliance for Aging, AARP Florida, and the Senior Planet Center in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood.

Celebrate the holidays at Miami-Dade County’s festive attractions!

Miami-Dade County’s premier attractions are going all out for the holidays! Zoo Lights Miami will run on select nights until December 30, featuring more than one million dazzling tree lights, appearances by Santa, animal appearances, and more. The Deering Estate is hosting a wide variety of activities such as the “Winter on the Bay” event, holiday caroling, decorations, and Holiday Bay cruise. This year's theme is "Historic Holidays: Golden Age of Travel". Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is having a Holiday Night Market at Vizcaya Village on December 18 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Vizcaya Village will transform into a festive market with 40+ local vendors, live music, and creative workshops. Not to be outdone, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is featuring “A Very Merry Garden” with a series of family-friendly activities until January 4, 2026 and “Night Garden” until January 11, 2026 For more information and tickets:

Free mobile veterinary clinic

provides care for our pets

The Wellness on Wheels (WOW) free mobile veterinary clinic serves the needs of at-risk pets and pet owners in underserved communities throughout Miami-Dade County and is fully equipped to provide routine medical care to owned cats and dogs. Services include physical exams, vaccinations, boosters, deworming, and flea prevention. The WOW clinic will also refer clients to low or no-cost options for spay/neuter surgeries not offered at the clinic. Pets will be served on a first-come, first-served basis, until capacity is reached. The WOW clinic rotates throughout various locations and is stationed from October 6 to December 23 at 7605 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33141, outside the North Shore Branch Library. Hours are Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed Thursday through Sunday, as well as on County-observed holidays.

Need more love in your life? Forget the dating apps. There’s a cat or dog waiting just for you at the Pet Adoption and Protection Center.  As part of the "Save Charlie Day" campaign, adoption fees will be waived for dogs four months and older from December 13-15. More information here.

**There are several vacancies on the following Advisory Boards. If you are interested in serving on one of our boards, contact the respective board Program Officer listed below.

Popular County Services

To reach the Property Appraiser click here

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To reach the Tax Collector click here

 Stephen P. Clark Government Center 

111 NW 1st Street Suite 1034

Miami, Florida 3312

Office of Community Advocacy 

| 305.375.5730 | laura.morilla@miamidade.gov | www.miamidade.gov/advocacy/home.asp