Orchids & Onions Awards: Subrata Basu

Subrata Basu received an Urban Environment League Orchid Award for Lifetime Achievement Planning/Regional Issues:

Subrata Basu, architect, planner and artist, left the planning jungle of South Florida to join the Peace Corps in Belize. His 34 years in public service included time as Community Redevelopment Director of South Miami and his last position as Assistant Director for Planning at the County. His leadership in numerous charrettes for urban centers demonstrated his deep commitment to creating livable communities and to promoting vigorous public participation in planning. He was a strong defender of the Urban Development Boundary and will be sorely missed. Our loss is the Peace Corp’s gain.

Emilie Young Posthumous Orchid Award

Emilie Young received a posthumous 2011 Orchid Award for Environmental Excellence:

Emilie Young’s commitment to preserving the natural heritage of South Florida is a model for all of us. Under her leadership, the County’s Environmentally Endangered Land Program
acquired and maintained nearly 18,000 acres of rockridge pineland, tropical hardwood
hammocks, freshwater and coastal wetlands. This legacy will forever remind us of her love of the natural world, her commitment to the future of this County, and her incredible skill at
negotiating a good deal for the County taxpayers. She will be missed.

Accepting the award is Cynthia Guerra Director of the County’s Environmentally Endangered Land Program. Former County Commissioner Katy Sorenson was on hand to present the award. Sonia Succar is also pictured.

Paula Church Recipient of Posthumous Orchid Award

Pictured: UEL Treasurer Barbara Falsey, Paula's husband Tom receiving the award, Mark Woerner her supervisor at Miami Dade County and Sonia Succar, UEL Co-President.

On June 15th, Paula Church was presented with the 2011 UEL Orchid Award:

Paula Church was one of the quiet and forceful soldiers in the fight for good planning in Miami Dade County. Her commitment to the environment and sound public policy were cornerstones in her work on the County’s Comprehensive Development Master Plan. As Supervisor in the Metropolitan Division, she was a gentle advocate for good planning and environmental protection. She was cherished by her colleagues and respected by the development community with whom she often strongly disagreed but respectfully and with good humor. Her passion for good planning, and for her home team – Go Canes – will be sorely missed.

James Murley Awarded the UEL 2011 Orchid Award

James Murley received the 2011 UEL Orchid Award for Lifetime Achievement for Planning/Regional Issues:

For a lifetime of leadership in the State of Florida promoting growth management and environmental protection. He has demonstrated that economic development can be furthered by combatting urban sprawl at the same time. He is providing a legacy that needs to be restored, not dismantled.

James Murley pictured with his lovely daughter!

Eric Buermann Received a UEL Orchid Award

Eric Buermann was presented with a 2011 Orchid Award by UEL Vice President Ernie Martin for being a Champion at Protecting Florida's Water:

Attorney Eric Buermann was appointed to the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board by Governor Charlie Crist and he quickly became the Chairman of the Board. During that same period he was the chairman of the Miami River Commission. He left an indelible mark serving on both. The landmark sugar land deal that he oversaw was hailed by environmentalists as a monumental step in Everglades Restoration.

The Audience during the event June 15th.

Grace Solares Recipient of a UEL Orchid Award

Grace Solares was presented with the UEL Orchid Award for Best Neighborhood Activist by Mayor Tomas Regalado:

Grace Solares was one of the founders of Miami Neighborhoods United,
a coalition of 21 City of Miami Neighborhood Associations. She now serves
as their President. She has been a champion for residential
neighborhoods in the new City of Miami zoning code “Miami 21.” Grace is
making sure city residents interests are protected in the new code. She also
took on City of Miami leaders to oppose the funding of the Marlins
Stadium. We want to thank Grace Solares for her commitment to the
community and for her partnership on numerous issues and events with the UEL.

Harry Horgan: UEL Orchid Award Winner for Environmental Restoration

We were pleased to present a UEL Orchid Award to Harry Horgan for Environmental Restoration:

Harry Horgan has been an important member of the South Florida community through his extraordinary programs focused on improving the lives of individuals with physical, developmental and economic challenges. His mission has extended to include the importance of environmental protection by incorporating the adjacent spoil islands/eco islands into Shake a Leg's educational programs. In working alongside various agencies and volunteer groups, Harry and his team have been able to restore these islands into rare gems made up of nature's treasures for all to enjoy and explore. The UEL commends Harry and Shake a Leg for taking such a bold environmental restoration initiative.

More from the Orchid's and Onion's Awards.

Pictured above are UEL Treasurer Babara Falsey and Deputy Director of Parks, Alex Munoz. Munoz accepted the award presented to Howard Gregg, his predecessor at Parks and Recreation. This was the copy from the award he received for "Lifetime Achievement in Planning":

Howard Gregg’s contributions to the Miami Dade County Park and Recreation system over his 34 year career are too numerous to mention. To mention just a few: under his leadership the Department more than doubled its land holdings, from 6,000 to 12,000 acres; he helped establish the Natural Areas Management Division (NAM) which restores natural habitat; and he recently led the development of the Park and Open Space System Master Plan; a 50 year vision for making Miami-Dade County a healthier and more livable community. We wish him well in retirement in the land of orchids – Hawaii.

Pictured below is UEL intern, Jenny Leizerovich, posing with City of Miami Mayor, Tomas Regalado. Mayor Regalado was there to present an award to Grace Solares as "Best Neighborhood Activist."

The Onions and Orchids Event.

The Onions and Orchids, Urban Environment League event, was a success. Almost 100 people came downtown to Villa 221 to watch the awards.

We will highlight some of the award winners, and post pictures from the event, here on the UEL blog, over the next few weeks. We wanted to start with a members of our Board of Directors, Tony Garcia:


Tony Garcia has been an instrumental force in opening up the dialogue of transit oriented issues in Miami-Dade through his blog and advocacy organization, Transit Miami. His activism runs deep as he promotes the importance of smart growth planning principles and effective transportation systems; Tony’s blog helps us to learn to avoid sprawl by developing compact, transit-oriented, walkable and bicycle-friendly neighborhoods. Tony is a young leader who values long term planning that will preserve our natural resources while enhancing the public health of Miami's residents. Transit Miami's motto of "Moving Forward, Faster" is certainly gaining speed with modern day conductors like Tony.

Tomorrow: Sixth Annual Orchids & Onions Award Presentation recognizes Miami's environmental movers & shakers.

On Wednesday, June 15, 2011, the Urban Environment League will host its sixth annual Orchids & Onions Award Presentation. This event has been widely acclaimed at recognizing individuals in the community who have been instrumental in initiating projects and campaigns which enhance Miami-Dade's natural and built environment.

The awards, which are given out as orchids, will recognize such individuals as Gary Milano of DERM and Harry Horgan of Shake a Leg, both who have made tremendous progress towards environmental restoration in South Florida. Other orchid recipients include transit blogger Tony Garcia, who co-founded Transit Miami, a website that has significantly elevated the discussion of transportation and alternative transit in South Florida, as well as the recently formed Scenic Miami coalition lead by Barbara Bisno & Dusty Melton, who have been instrumental in fighting the advertising and mural billboards propping up all over Miami.

Along with the many orchids that will be given out throughout the evening by UEL's board members and elected officials, a batch of onions will also be presented to individuals who have seriously affected the environment through backwards legislation and/or destructive projects in Miami. These onions include Governor Rick Scott and his recent undoing of Florida's Growth Management Laws and media developer Mark Siffin for his proposed LED media tower in downtown Miami.

The award presentation will take place at the recently opened downtown venue space, Villa 221 from 6-9pm.

To see the full list of award recipients and to find out more information about UEL, please visit www.uel.org

June 15th Orchids & Onions Awards has a NEW LOCATION!

UEL's 6th Annual Orchids & Onions location has moved to the beautiful new downtown space VILLA 221 on Wednesday, June 15th at 6pm. The location is: 221 NE 17th Street, just West of the old OMNI complex. Double click to open the invite in a larger version.



Please tell your friends about this new location.

Billboard on I95 in Miami Ruled Illegal

The photo above is from google maps. This billboard has been the subject of an ongoing lawsuit. The building is empty and its revenue comes from its use as a billboard.

According to reporter Andres Viglucci who has been following the case:

Now an appeals court has handed the county a clear-cut victory that may put an end to the legal fracas, ruling that the signs must come down.

The decision by a three-judge panel of the Third District Court of Appeal, issued Wednesday, also represents a boost for billboard opponents mustering a campaign to stop the proliferation of ads along the city’s expressways.

Ernie Martin has been heading the UEL committee on this issue. Barbara Bisno, a longtime UEL member and a future recipient of an UEL orchid June 15th, is one of opponents that Viglucci referred to. Bisno, a co-founder of Scenic Miami-Dade, said:

This is a great decision for our community in our effort to secure and preserve a safe environment and our natural beauty. The county sign ordinance is a major protection for all residents from visual pollution.

Come see her and other billboard activists get their orchids on June 15 and perhaps think about joining Barabra's Group.

UEL's Orchids and Onions Event June 15th

Urban Environment League’s

Orchids & Onions Award Presentation and Annual Meeting

Wednesday - June 15th - 6 pm

Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Overlooking Biscayne Bay

2990 South Bayshore Drive

Please join us for some fun/networking at our 6 pm Cocktail Hour

Award presentation to follow at 7 pm

Hors d’ oeuvres and Cocktails (cash bar) $15 Donation At Door -

RSVP uelinfo@bellsouth.net or call: 786 472-0011

Orchids & Onions Awards

ORCHIDS & ONIONS EVENT JUNE 15TH

Save the Date: June 15th

The UEL has scheduled our annual meeting on Wednesday, June 15th. We are planning on having it at the Coconut Grove Sailing club. The UEL gives out its annual Orchids and Onions awards on that date.

We hope you will save the date!

The UEL Dinner Last Night

There are so many people to thank for making this one of the events of the year - about 180 people came to thank County Commissioner Katy Sorenson for her years of service. First of all we want to thank all of the toasters, thank you for your messages. Jim DeFede thank you for your role as a masterful Master of Ceremony. As Commissioner Rolle would say: "You done good."

Motes Orchids, your flowers were smashing especially the Orchid for Katy. Martin Motes made a new hybrid orchid, registering this new orchid as "vanda Katy Sorenson". Thank you Chief of Staff Sylvia Farina for helping us with logistics. Thank you Rusty Pelican for making a delicious dinner for all of us and the view of downtown was spectacular. We thank our Pianists Albert Harum Alvarez and Su-Gi Min.

Best of all, the sense of family in the room was strong - That sense of Community is what Katy inspired, uniting all of us from different corners of the County.

The UEL Dinner in Honor of County Commissioner Katy Sorenson

We are looking forward to celebrating Katy Sorenson's public service to the community tonight at the Rusty Pelican at our Orchids & Onions Award Dinner/Annual Meeting.

June 16 Dinner to Thank Katy Sorenson

County Commissioner Katy Sorenson
This dinner is for you!

Orchid and Onions Award Dinner
The Urban Environment League is hosting our Annual Award Dinner/Annual Meeting
in honor of:
County Commissioner Katy Sorenson

Masters of Ceremony:
Jim DeFede and UEL President Fran Bohnsack

Commissioner Sorenson will be leaving office this Fall to pursue a new and exciting chapter in her life. Those of us who want to thank her will “Roast” with an Onion or “Toast” with an Orchid.
Please join us in saying goodbye to ‘Katy’:

Wednesday - June 16th

6pm Cocktails (Cash Bar) & 7pm Dinner
At the Rusty Pelican Restaurant
3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne


3 Course Dinner $50

Your Payment is your reservation. No payment at the door!

Check/Paypal by June 11th - Space Limited Indicate whether you want to speak at the event.

Use Paypal at: button on right side of page
or
Send a check (made out to UEL) to:

Urban Environment League - Suite 114
1000 N.W. North River Drive
Miami, FL 33136

Questions? uelinfo@bellsouth.net - Phone: 786-472-0011
Ask about being featured in our keepsake program!
Include your email or phone number for reservation confirmation.

Marvin Dunn's "Roots in the City"

Marvin Dunn, Associate Professor at Florida International University, was recognized with an Orchid Award from the Urban Environment League for strengthening Overtown by spearheading 7 years of activity for Roots in the City. Roots is a non-profit where students and volunteers tend 20 acres of gardens and beautifully manicured green spaces to bring out the best of Overtown.

Community workers are hired to tend the gardens on weekdays and between semesters, giving opportunity and training to folks who have had problems affecting their employability in the past. In addition to the time he has devoted, Dunn was also recognized because he has shouldered a great deal of the cost to develop these gardens from his personal income.