🌱 93-Story Miami Waldorf Astoria Construction Date + Tri-Rail Update

Happy Sunday, people of Miami! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in Miami today.

First, today's weather:

Pleasant with plenty of sun. High: 78 Low: 64.

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Here are the top stories today in Miami:

1. Work is set for the 93-story Waldorf Astoria glass box in downtown Miami that will reshape the city skyline. Full construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2022. (Miami Today)

2. Getting a COVID test Saturday on Christmas Day was almost as popular as eating ham or drinking egg nog-like coquito. Dozens of cars lined up before testing opened at Tropical Park in Miami. (Click Orlando)

3. A family of 12 hoped to leave Port Miami on Royal Caribbean for their annual cruise on Sunday, but their plans were derailed when some of them tested positive for COVID-19. They are hardly alone with 3 cruise ships experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks this week as the Omicron variant surges, in some cases stranding passengers at sea. (CBS Miami)

4. Downtown Miami’s new commuter rail service from Tri-Rail is now expected to begin in late 2022, according to the Herald. The city must meet for approval in January. Brightline CEO Mike Reininger said the company disagreed with a report that claimed ramps entering MiamiCentral might be too weak to handle trains. (The Next Miami)

5. 27-year-old Marvin Green was arrested in Allapattah on Friday and charged with aggravated child abuse and possession of a stolen firearm. Green was caught on camera assaulting a young child earlier in December at a MIami Walgreens pharmacy. (NBC Miami)

Today in Miami:

• Water and Ether at Etra Fine Art. (11:00 AM)
• New Year Turn-Up Cruise 2021 at Port Of Miami Cruise Terminals. (12:00 PM)
• Miami Heat Vs. Orlando Magic at FTX Arena. (3:30 PM)
• Sundays Are Lucky at 1-800-Lucky. (4:00 PM)
• Salsero Sundays at Ball & Chain. Free salsa class by Carlos Saoco. (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• New York City and Miami are now racing for who will become the crypto center of the United States. (NPR)
• Ocean Drive Magazine has a list of Best Mocktails To Try in Miami this Dry January. (Ocean Drive)
• Several South Florida charities including Miami Rescue Mission helped the homeless during Christmas. (WPLG Local 10)

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Events:

• Coconut Grove Artisanal and Farmers Market (December 26)
• Ring In the New Year With 15 Percent Off Beautiful Blooms From FTD! (December 31)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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 (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.