Miami’s Gloria Estefan Turns 65 + Labor Day Weekend Patrols

Hello, neighbors! I’m back in your inbox this morning with your new copy of the Miami Daily. Come along for the most important things happening in town these days. Here’s a quick look:

• It’s a busy weekend on the campaign trail with Charlie Crist, Val Demings, and Marco Rubio hosting events and campaign stops in South Florida.
• Cuban-American Miami icon Gloria Estefan turned 65 years old and Mattel is celebrating.
• Miami-Dade Police are increasing patrols and DUI checkpoints during Labor Day weekend.

September is World Candle Month. What’s your favorite scent? Martha of Miami has a wonderful Cuban bread candle.

First, today’s weather:

Some clouds, then sunshine. High: 91 Low: 81.

Looking for more real estate leads in Miami? Let us help you reach prospective home buyers and stand out from the competition. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top five stories in Miami today:

1. A South Florida man is facing multiple charges for placing dead animals on a memorial for the victims of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office said Friday. Robert Mondragon, 29, is currently being held without bond on charges of removing or disfiguring a tomb or monument, violation of probation for battery and indecent exposure and violation of a risk protection order. (NBC Miami)

2. Florida gubernatorial candidate Rep. Charlie Crist and Florida Senate candidate Rep. Val Demings are both spending Labor Day weekend campaigning in South Florida. Senator Marco Rubio also had a meeting on Friday with leaders of the Nicaraguan community in Miami. (WSVN)

3. Cuban-American icon Gloria Estefan turned 65 on Saturday and toy maker Mattel is debuting a Barbie doll made in her image for the occasion. The Barbie doll arrived just in time for her birthday. Estefan grew up in Miami and still has a home there today. (CBS Miami, Variety)

4. The Miami-Dade Police Department said it is increasing patrols and conducting DUI checkpoints during Labor Day weekend. “The checkpoint will be located at 11 Street and Washington Avenue beginning at 6 p.m. and will start Saturday and continue through Sunday at 4 a.m.,” police said. (WPLG Local 10)

5. South Florida’s Tinta y Café recently won a Bib Gourmand, a Michelin marker for restaurants that make high quality food at a reasonable price. The café has been in business for 17 years and is well-known for its signature Cubano. Owner Sachi Statz said the recognition makes her “proud to make or push Miami forward in some way, shape or form.” (WLRN)

Today in Miami:

• Vizcaya Village Farmers Market at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. (9 a.m.)
• Simon Beauty Week at Sawgrass Mills. (10 a.m.)
• Bitcoin Brunch Miami at Naomi’s Garden Restaurant & Lounge. (10 a.m.)
• Celebrate Labor Day Weekend at Issabella’s. (noon)
• Labor Day Drink Specials, Menu & DJ at B Ocean Resort’s Salty Siren Pool Bar. (noon)

From my notebook:

• MiamiCoin is down 99% since City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez introduced it. The coin is operated by CityCoins, a non-profit that wanted to help cities raise money. The plans faltered due to the implosion of the crypto market. (Commercial Observer)
• An AMBER Alert has been issued by Miami-Dade Police for a 6-year-old boy, Jorge “JoJo” Morales. Authorities say he not been seen by his mother in nearly a week. Police have also issued an arrest warrant for his father. (WSVN)
• Temperatures during autumn have been rising at an alarming rate in South Florida and across the nation. It can result in more pollen, lower air quality, an increase in insect-borne diseases, high air-conditioning bills and more. (NBC Miami)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Other classifieds:

• Fun, Educational Middle Grade Book-March of the Blue Moon by Elaine Donadio (Details)
• Fun, Educational Formula Poems Book-The Ocean’s Way Poetry Companion by Elaine Donadio (Details)
• Add your classified

Alrighty, you’re all good for today! I’ll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next update.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats ( and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Miami Daily? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com