🌱 Patch AM: How did a Miami Beach jūjutsu teacher win Gisele’s heart?

Hey there, Miami Beach! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How did a Miami Beach jūjutsu teacher win Gisele’s heart?
• Why Miami Beach’s 41st Street still carries Arthur Godfrey’s name
• Which powerful Black artist-activist tributes are coming to Miami Beach in 2026?

Also on today's calendar: intriga Vol 35 ft Santelises and friends(Grand finale 2025) and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Some sun with a few showers, with a high of 80 and low of 73 degrees.
• Monday: Windy with partial sunshine, temps: high: 81, low: 74.
• Tuesday: Windy; an a.m. shower or two, with a high of 78 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Who Is Joaquim Valente? 5 Things to Know About Gisele Bündchen's New Husband (hollywoodlife.com) — A Brazilian jūjutsu instructor now based in Miami Beach has quietly married Gisele Bündchen and welcomed a child with her, after years of friendship that began through martial arts lessons. The piece traces his Brazilian roots, education in Miami, and role teaching Gisele and her kids self-defense, highlighting how their shared love of Miami and healthy living helped their relationship grow.
   

2. Why is Arthur Godfrey's name on a Miami Beach street? Get the backstory (miamiherald.com) — Miami Beach readers may recognize Arthur Godfrey Road as the stretch once known simply as 41st Street, renamed in 1956 to honor the TV and radio star who promoted the city on his nationally broadcast show. The story traces how his Miami Beach broadcasts boosted tourism, why the street got his name, and a later, unsuccessful effort to strip it amid controversy over his legacy.
   

3. I Dream a World Festival Celebrates Black Artists-Activists (sflcn.com) — Miami Beach residents can look ahead to the New World Symphony’s 5th annual “I Dream a World” festival, coming to New World Center February 18–22, 2026, with concerts also in Overtown. The series celebrates Black artist-activists from Langston Hughes to Davóne Tines, blending orchestral performances, poetry, and choral works, with a mix of premium, pay-what-you-wish, and even free WALLCAST options.
   

4. Proposed Illinois amendment adds lions, tigers, bears to circus ban (thetelegraph.com) — Miami Beach appears on a national list of cities that already restrict wild animals in circuses, highlighted in coverage of a new Illinois bill to expand its own circus animal ban. While the legislation is elsewhere, it underscores how Miami Beach aligns with a growing movement to limit lions, tigers, bears, and other wild animals in traveling shows.
   

5. How Much Does a Trip to Florida Cost for New York Residents? (wnynewsnow.com) — Miami Beach gets a shout-out here as one of the livelier South Florida beach options New Yorkers often choose, alongside Fort Lauderdale and Orlando theme parks. The guide breaks down realistic costs for flights, hotels, food, transportation, and hidden fees, helping would-be visitors budget properly so a Florida getaway doesn’t end up far pricier than expected.
   

📸 Around Miami Beach

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Miami Beach

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

Saturday December 20

• intriga Vol 35 ft Santelises and friends(Grand finale 2025)
  La Ferneteria (Rooftop Miami) , 230 NW 24th St , Miami
  10:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Beach Fit Camp at 64th Street Beach
  64th Street Beach - on the sand, meet near the lifeguard tower with a towel or mat and water
  6:30 am
• Zumba at Altos Del Mar Park in North Beach
  Altos Del Mar Park , 76th Street and Collins Avenue , Miami Beach
  8:00 am
• Group Fitness Workout at Altos Del Mar Park
  Altos Del Mar Park , 76th St and Collins Ave , Miami Beach
  9:00 am
• Abstract Adventures
  The Bass , 2100 Collins Ave , Miami Beach
  12:00 pm
• SOLD OUT! Color Quest
  The Bass , 2100 Collins Ave , Miami Beach
  12:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Beach Fit Camp at 64th Street Beach
  64th Street Beach - on the sand, meet near the lifeguard tower with a towel or mat and water
  6:30 am
• Sold Out! Animal Architects
  The Bass , 2100 Collins Ave , Miami Beach
  12:00 pm
• Design Lab: Architecture & Imagination
  The Bass , 2100 Collins Ave , Miami Beach
  12:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Orchestra Miami's NYE Celebration
  Collins Park , 2100 Collins Ave , Miami Beach
  8:00 pm

📣 Miami Beach Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 21

• Lincoln Road Farmers Market
  Lincoln Road Farmers Market , 1920 Meridian Ave , Miami Beach
  9:00 am
• Open Studio
  The Bass , 2100 Collins Ave , Miami Beach
  12:30 pm
• Menorah Parade
  Bay Harbor Islands, FL Calendar , 9580 Bay Drive , Surfside
  1:45 pm
• Historic Biltmore Hotel Tours
  The Biltmore Hotel , 1200 Anastasia Avenue , Coral Gables
  2:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Miami Beach will send $500 checks to homeowners.
  Renters no longer eligible. Thousands of Miami Beach homeowners will be eligible to receive $500 checks from the city as part of an initiative… (Nextdoor Flamingo/Lummus Central)
• Save Miami Beach Chapel 🙏 Stop the Demolition: SIGNATURES ONLY - DO NOT DONATE
  We, the undersigned, urgently call for the preservation of the LDS church building at 6950 Indian Creek Drive in Miami Beach. We are not seeking… (Nextdoor Pinetree / La Gorce)

• Domino's Pizza posted a job opening for Assistant Manager (03889) - 1428 Alton Rd in Miami Beach. Apply here.
• Marriott Hotels & Resorts posted a job opening for Spa Locker Room Attendant in Miami Beach. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Miami Beach here.

Ok Miami Beach! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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