😋 Treat your sweet tooth with these Miami bakeries

Plus, a memorial in Surfside and meet South Florida’s newest congresswoman.

By Zach Schlein

Welcome to Thursday.

The New Tropic doesn’t speak for all Miamians, but at least over here — y’know, on the other side of the vast, interconnected chasm that is the internet — it’s been a pretty long week. 🤕

If you feel the same and could use something sweet to lift your spirits, then today’s your lucky day: The New York Times recently shared a list spotlighting Miami’s diverse bakery scene, and some top-notch treats made the cut. You can read more about local favorites like Knaus Berry Farm, Madruga Bakery, and Zak the Baker by clicking right here.

Once you’re done debating whether or not it’s worth indulging a little bit (here’s a hint: it is 😋), be sure to scroll on for more of what’s happening in the 305…

💧 What Miami is talking about

Take in all there is to see today. | Want to see your own picture in this space? Tag either #thenewtropic or @thenewtropic to be featured in our Instagram of the Day. (📸: @patch_06)

🗳️ A South Florida businesswoman has made history with her election to Congress. Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick defeated Republican candidate Jason Mariner in the special election for Florida’s 20th Congressional District seat on Tuesday. Cherfilus-McCormick is succeeding the late Rep. Alcee Hastings in the position and will be Florida’s first Haitian-American to serve in Congress. (The Week)

🎨 ICYMI, Oolite Arts has announced the names of its 2022 residents. Last week the non-profit shared the local artists who’d been selected for this year’s iteration of the org’s residency program as well as its Home + Away initiative. The celebrated arts organization will provide the chosen creatives with studio space, exhibition opportunities, and much more. You can learn about the programs and 305 talents participating in them over at the link. 👉🏻 (Oolite Arts via Instagram)

🕯️ Surfside has taken steps toward setting up a formal memorial for victims of last year’s disaster. Earlier this week the city commission voted to move forward with constructing a memorial site close to where Champlain Towers South once stood. As detailed by the Miami Herald, “The memorial proposal would involve the closure of 88th Street east of Collins Avenue to vehicular traffic to create a memorial park and pedestrian plaza.” City commissioners also took a preliminary vote on shortening the recertification process for older buildings down to 30 years rather than the current policy of 40 years; this change will require a second vote to be implemented. (Miami Herald)

🚨 Three police officers in Miami-Dade County are facing charges for misconduct on the job. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced yesterday that her office is opening cases against law enforcement officials with the Miami-Dade County, City of Opa-locka, and City of Miami Gardens police departments. Although the cases are separate, all three officers have been charged with criminal battery. (CBS Miami)

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Things to do

Submit your events to our calendar.

Today

💃 Tear up the dance floor as Miami collective Autonomy hosts Darwin and December Beaches alongside the 305’s own Glue Boy and Daisy Cutter at Floyd (Downtown)

🇨🇺 Embark on an unforgettable misadventure to recover a precious family heirloom during the world premiere of "GRINGOLANDIA: A Cuban Journey" by playwright Hannah Benítez (Downtown)

Tomorrow

🔊 Boogie down with superstar DJs Mike Servito and Terence Tabeau during the latest edition of Miami’s long-running Free Acid party at ATV Records (Downtown)

Saturday

🍫 Savor sweet treats and greenery during Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s 15th Annual Festival of Chocolate — Saturday, Jan. 15 and Sunday, Jan. 16 (Coral Gables)

🍓 Take a bite out of a fruity tropical history tour and scavenger hunt during the Redland Riot Road Rallye (Redland)

🛍️ Kick off the new year with local vendors and live music at the open-air community event Market @ THesis (Coral Gables)

🎨 Celebrate creativity during the 71st Beaux Arts Festival of Art — Saturday, Jan. 15 and Sunday, Jan. 16 (Coral Gables)

🍽️ Enjoy a farm-fresh lunch served by Chef Niven Patel and Outstanding in the Field at Holman's Harvest Farm (Loxahatchee Groves)

Sunday

🎼 Enjoy the glittering, harmonic sounds of The Polish Wieniawski Orchestra and a symphony spanning classic works by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and more (Cutler Bay)

🍷 Sip quality wine and enjoy esoteric sounds supplied by Artime and Mutant Pete during the latest Tropico Virgo at Margot (Downtown)

Monday

😋 Relish a flavorful feast during World Famous House of Mac's weekly BOGO Monday special — this week it's the local hot spot's World-Famous Five Cheese and Smoked BBQ Chicken (Doral)