FYI Miami is a weekly feature of Miami Today, keeping readers ahead of the news. Here are highlights from the most current edition.

DIGGING DEEP: Miami-Dade County commissioners Tuesday passed a measure amending codes regulating the excavation of county lands. Among other things, it prohibits permits for excavators that have not submitted designs for excavations exceeding 1,000 linear feet.



PERFECT ATTENDANCE: Commissioners Tuesday also gave an unanimous OK to give the inspector general written notice of all county negotiations and selection-committee meetings. The inspector general was also invited to attend the sessions. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla and Natacha Seijas Millan sponsored the item.



OTHER MATTERS: Commissioners Tuesday also approved a lease for the Related Group of Florida to develop the Santa Clara Metrorail Station and apartments, then voted to let MSE Branded Foods Inc. run the Metrofare Food Court in the Stephen Clark Center. Commissioner Katy Sorenson said she didn't think the operating company would make much of an improvement in the Clark Center. "Campbell's Soup? Come on," she said. One county staffer said the location is not very marketable and the county is lucky to attract an operator in the first place.

DOCK PERMITS: The City of Miami, the county's Department of Environmental Management and the Miami Heat reached agreement last week on floating docks the basketball team installed next to the American Airlines arena. The team was cited when the docks were not removed by a Jan. 31 deadline required by the county's temporary permit. The Heat now has 180 days to get a permanent permit or remove the docks.

JAPANESE CONSUL: Japan's new consul general in Miami is Hideaki Asahi, a career diplomat whose assignments have included the Philippines, the United Nations, India and Iran. Mr. Asahi served in the Philippines since 1998 and was a cabinet councilor under Japan's prime minister from 1995-98. He replaces Ken Shimanouchi, who was recently reassigned to England.

DOWNTOWN PLANNING: Miami commissioners have agreed to spend $135,000 on a downtown long-range transportation master plan being developed with the county's Metropolitan Planning Organization and other transportation agencies. The city will tap impact fees paid by developers to help fund the regional study of transportation needs for Brickell and downtown.

SUBMERGED LANDS: Miami has reached agreement with the Division of State Lands regarding a waiver on submerged lands the state owns near the city's Dinner Key, says Lori Billberry, city director of asset management. The waiver was one step in clearing the city's title to land pledged for a Grove Harbor Marina and Caribbean Marketplace development. The city agreed to pay $15,178 annually or 6% of gross revenues from the wet slips on the state-owned land.

GARBAGE COLLECTION: The City of Miami agreed to increase its payment to the county for solid waste disposal by $500,000, to $8.88 million, partly to compensate for the increase in debris collected following Hurricane Irene last year. The fee increase also portends higher waste disposal fees.

NIGHT LIFE: A nightclub featuring live music for the over-30 crowd — under-served by the South Beach scene — is about to open in the lobby of Bay Park Plaza, 1756 N Biscayne Blvd., says Phil Yaffa, Florida East Coast Realty's senior vice president.

CALL HOME: Blackstone Calling Cards, a retailer of prepaid calling cards and wireless communications, leased 4,820 square feet at Florida International Plaza, Southwest Eighth Street and 107th Avenue, across from Florida International University. Jeremy Larkin and Josh Rodstein of Larkin Schmidt Weidenbaum represented the landlord, Saddleridge Holdings, in the transaction.

NASSAU SALE: An Argentine investment group paid $3.1 million for the 22-suite Nassau Hotel, 1414 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Coldwell Banker Kent Karlock Realty negotiated the sale.

CONTAINED SPACE: Trans Container Miami leased 11,200 square feet in Beacon Station at Gran Park, Medley. Pedro Garcia and Stuart Gordon of Codina Realty Services represented the landlord, Gran Central Corp., in the transaction.

FLOWER POWER: Mayesh Wholesale Florist leased 5,400 square feet of industrial space from MICC Venture, 1406 NW 82nd Ave. Michael Silver at CB Richard Ellis represented the landlord in the transaction.

PLAYHOUSE POST: Coconut Grove Playhouse Director Arnold Mittleman named Christopher Bishop director of education to fill a post vacated by Judith Delgado, who had been education director for the playhouse since 1985. Mr. Bishop had been producing artistic director for the Shores Performing Arts Theatre and has served as both stage actor and director at the Grove Playhouse, most recently in "Harry Chapin's America."

COURT CONTACT: The 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida announced that its Miami-Dade County Domestic Violence hot line will be changed to (305) 349-5888, effective Jan. 1. In the interim, both the new and old number, (305) 547-3170, will be operating.

PLAYHOUSE POST: Coconut Grove Playhouse Director Arnold Mittelman named Christopher Bishop director of education effective Sept. 1 to fill a post vacated by Judith Delgado, who has been education director for the playhouse since 1985. Mr. Bishop had been producing artistic director for the Shores Performing Arts Theatre and has served as both stage actor and director at the Grove Playhouse, most recently in "Harry Chapin's America."

COURT AID: The 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida announced that its Miami-Dade County Domestic Violence hot line will be changed to (305) 349-5888, effective Jan. 1. In the interim, both the new and old number, (305) 547-3170, will be operating.

HEALTH BENEFIT: The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce is presenting "The Value of Investing in Child Health & Employee Benefits" from noon-1:30 p.m. Aug. 2 in the ballroom level of the Wyndham Miami Biscayne Bay Hotel, 1601 Biscayne Blvd. Antonia Coello Novello, New York's commissioner of health and former US surgeon general, is scheduled to talk. Thomas M. Rozek, president and CEO of Miami Children's Hospital and vice chair of the chamber's health industry group, will introduce the speaker. RSVP. Cost is $15. Details: Sandy Klukas, (305) 577-5445.

BRICKELL BIERSCH: Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant announced plans to open its 16th outlet at 1201 Brickell Ave. on Aug. 21. Details: (786) 425-1130.

AMERICAN NONSTOP: American Airlines affiliate American Eagle will start nonstop daily service out of Miami to the Savannah-Hilton Head area Sept. 6 using a 46-seat ATR turboprop. It will connect here to American flights to the Bahamas and points in the Caribbean and Latin America. An introductory fare of $158 is available through Oct. 13 for travel by Oct. 31 with a 14-day advance purchase. The flight is to arrive in Miami at 9:39 a.m. and depart at 8 p.m.

DOWNTOWN STREETS: Downtown Miami Main Street is presenting a "Main Street Social" on the revitalization of the central business district from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 3 in Giovana Caffee, 154 SE First St. Details: (305) 577-8171.

DOWNTOWN WALK: Downtown Miami Main Street is presenting a happy hour from 5-8 p.m. today (7/27) in Rigatoni Italian Bar, 212 NE Third St., as part of "Downtown Miami Gallery Walk," with stops planned at the "Altoids Curiously Strong Collection" in M-DCC's Centre Gallery and the Green Door and Wallflower galleries. RSVP. Details: (305) 577-8171.

PTA SPECIAL: The South Florida Preschool PTA is holding its 10th annual Open House from 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 24 at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 6605 SW 88th St. Details: (305) 969-2176.

INSURANCE MEET: Insurance Professionals of Miami-Dade will hold a monthly dinner meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 8 in the Holiday Inn University of Miami, 1350 S Dixie Hwy. Shanta Persaud, representing the Royal & Sun Alliance Flood Insurance Program, is to speak. Cost is $20. RSVP. Details: (305) 476-7242.