Miami-Dade to host Financial Literacy program
From David Volz
Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD), in partnership with the Miami-Dade Public Library System, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Catalyst Miami, is proud to announce a transformative Financial Literacy Pilot Program intended to bridge financial education gaps within the community. This free six-week initiative will take place every Tuesday and Wednesday until December 20th from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. hosted at three public libraries — Arcola Lakes Library, South Dade Regional Library, and North Dade Regional Library.
“Initiatives like these help us empower our residents with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed financially,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Financial literacy programs create wealth and a more inclusive and thriving economy. This is how we help our residents achieve their dreams.”
Participants can expect engaging sessions covering various aspects of financial literacy, including budgeting, saving, investing, and understanding consumer rights. The diverse partnership ensures a comprehensive curriculum that caters to the diverse needs of the Miami-Dade community.
“We believe that financial literacy is a cornerstone for community well-being, and through this joint effort, we’re providing accessible education that can positively impact lives,” said Sonia Grice, Director at CAHSD.
The Financial Literacy Pilot Program is open to all community members, with sessions tailored to meet diverse needs. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain practical insights, connect with experts, and build a foundation for financial success.
Port Everglades welcomes new Edge-Series ship
From David Volz
Port Everglades welcomed Celebrity Cruises’ newest Edge-Series ship Celebrity Ascent, which is one of six Celebrity homeported ships to sail from Port Everglades this cruise season.
In a plaque-and-key ceremony onboard Celebrity Ascent, Port Everglades CEO and Port Director Jonathan Daniels presented a plaque to brothers and Co-Captains Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis and a special gift to Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge. Port Everglades Deputy Director Glenn Wiltshire bestowed the co-captains and Hodges Bethge with challenge coins, which is a military tradition that symbolizes unit pride, camaraderie and excellence.
The port leaders were joined by Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy, who presented a plaque to Co-Captains Kafetzis; Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Steve Glassman, who read a proclamation for Hodges Bethge; and representatives of the port’s law enforcement partners, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Broward Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Also in attendance to extend their well-wishes was Port Everglades Association Executive Director Lori Baer, International Longshoremen’s Association President Johnnie Dixon and Seafarers’ House Chaplain Father Sanford “Sandy” Sears. The co-captains of the fourth ship in Celebrity’s Edge Series also presented attendees with a token of appreciation. In exchange, the brother duo doled out tokens of appreciation to the attendees.
The celebration of Celebrity Ascent‘s debut will continue this week with a naming ceremony on Dec. 1 at her Port Everglades homeport presided by the ship’s godmothers Captain Sandy Yawn, from Bravo TV’s Below Deck, and her sister Michelle Dunham, founder of the Jacksonville School for Autism. Celebrity Ascent will then embark on her inaugural Caribbean season with alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
Miami Airport sets new record for Thanksgiving Day travel period
From David Volz
Miami International Airport welcomed 1.86 million passengers during the 12-day Thanksgiving Day travel period from Friday, November 17 to Tuesday, November 28, shattering its previous record of 1.73 million travelers in 2021 by 7.3%. The peak travel season also brought three of MIA’s five busiest days ever on November 18, 25, and 26, with November 26 setting a new all-time single-day record of 169,926 passengers. The airport’s second-busiest day ever was on March 20, 2022, when it served 167,529 travelers.
“I am very proud of our airport for successfully completing another record-breaking Thanksgiving travel period and for efficiently welcoming more visitors to our community,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Thanks to the strong teamwork across our Aviation Department, our airline and concessionaire partners, and the local and federal security agencies at MIA, nearly two million travelers were able to have a positive airport experience in Miami-Dade County during the Thanksgiving holiday week.”
Even with the record numbers, MIA’s parking garages remained open throughout its busiest days. Additionally, flights at the global gateway are arriving on time at an 81% rate and departing on time at a 79% rate in November. In 2022, MIA was the world’s 8th busiest airport in total flights and ranked 10th among the world’s busiest airports in on-time performance at 74%, according to the Official Airline Guide.
Before Thanksgiving Day, American Airlines subsidiary Envoy Air began a courtesy trolley service with a total of 10 golf carts from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, to transport passengers within Concourse D while the concourse’s Skytrain people mover remains out of service. In partnership with the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, Envoy Air also began an airside shuttle bus service with stops at gates D10 and D55 during the peak travel period of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“During this season of Thanksgiving, I am especially grateful for every team member at MIA who helped to make our record-breaking travel period a success,” said Ralph Cutié, MIA Director and CEO. “With the winter holiday travel season and the end of the year quickly approaching, I am incredibly proud of the strides we have made as an airport in 2023 to provide our customers with the world-class service they deserve.”
