Boy is Miami-Dade Animal Services in a mess. The department has an interim head after sidelining Director Bronwyn Stanford, who is on administrative leave and is fending off a lawsuit. Prominent Animal Advocate Yolanda Berkowitz, who sits on the national board of the Humane Society of the United States and is a founder of the Friends of Miami Animals Foundation, alleges in a lawsuit filed in May that Stanford slandered her. In a County response to the lawsuit, Stanford denied the allegations.

The bad blood has been boiling for some time: Berkowitz complained last year to Mayor Daniella Levine Cava about Stanford’s performance. The complicated story took another twist recently as the County’s Attorney was granted a motion to stop representing Stanford in the lawsuit, citing “irreconcilable differences.” Sounds like this marriage is headed to divorce court. Believe me – I’m not making light of this. Animal Services’ plight is one we should all care about. Its task was monumental to begin with and COVID-19 only made homelessness for dogs and other animals much worse. Stanford, a former prosecutor and Florida Department of Children and Families administrator, was appointed animal services director in November 2021.

Stanford has her defenders, too. “Hiring Bronwyn Stanford was the best thing Miami Dade County has ever done for animals and it was a huge step in the right direction,” according to a Change.org petition with 784 signatures that seeks the attention of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the Board of County Commissioners. “She has done a highly commendable and excellent job under exceedingly difficult circumstances, where pet abandonment and animal shelter overpopulation has reached crisis levels post-Covid.” Miami-Dade should explain what were the “irreconcilable differences” with the County attorney’s office. That should shed some light on the overall matter. Transparency is the best disinfectant. Until then, the County should investigate the matter and provide the public with a report on the allegations.. Stay tuned, more to come!

South Floridians can now sign up for NOW TV, Comcast’s new streaming offering that includes 40+ live channels from A&E, AMC, Hallmark and Warner Bros. Discovery, plus 20+ integrated FAST channels from NBC, Sky and Xumo Play, and a subscription to Peacock Premium at no additional cost. NOW TV combines simplicity and convenience with quality to create the ideal entertainment product for the value-conscious consumer. NOW TV is available to Xfinity Internet customers for a monthly price of $20, no equipment required, and the ability to sign up and cancel anytime... Read More

David Ensignia Tennis Academy has announced the opening of DETA Pickleball Club at the Miccosukee Golf and Country Club with 16 championship-grade courts and weekly classes, clinics, match play and round robins, making it the most complete and largest pickleball program in Miami-Dade County. “We know the county and local municipalities are eager to meet the insatiable demand for pickleball courts,” said David Ensignia Sr., the founder and president of David Ensignia Tennis Academy. “We’ve built the community a place to play. Yet our club is more than just a collection of courts. It’s where people of all ages can learn a new sport, make friends and have fun... Read More

Guests are invited to enjoy musical performances inside the historic Great Hall at the Deering Estate. The 2023 Summer Cabaret Concert series concludes on Saturday, August 26th featuring Melina Soochan. Melina Soochan is a singer-songwriter, recording artist, music educator, and live performer originally from Montreal, Canada. She presents a unique blend of cover songs in the genres of pop, soul and R&B, infused with sultry elements of jazz, lounge and bossa nova, side-by-side with her original pop-R&B music... Read More