CELEBRATING 1.5 MILLION BLOG READERS

My blog started out humbly, more than a decade ago.

 

Today, it has had more than 1.5 million unique visitors over its lifetime.

 

Sometimes I share simple photos of my cats or urban street photography.

 

Often, I share my passion for Universal Design and creating a better built environment for people with disabilities.

This year alone, I have traveled to more than a dozen major cities in eight nations – to work on removing barriers and making design more inclusive and wheelchair accessible.

 

I have appeared as an expert: in a major book, on stage at the world’s largest gathering of engineers, in a training video for the largest state gathering of real estate professionals, on national TV, in webinars and in countless articles that I have published in influential planning magazines.

 

Thanks to everyone who follows and supports my work.

 

HONORED THAT MY AWARD WINNING STREET PHOTOGRAPHY WILL HELP ILLUSTRATE

URBANIST AUTHOR THOMAS WILSON’S UPCOMING BOOK: EXCEPTIONAL PLACES

Thomas Wilson is a planner, author and scholar who is completing "Exceptional Places" about iconic historic districts.

My photo above illustrates this excerpt:

Ocean Drive art deco hotels in Miami Beach.

The city’s preservation movement of the 1970s and 1980s succeeded in saving its historic resources and creating one of the nation’s most iconic historic districts.

Following its heyday in the 1940s and 1950s, South Beach went into decline as newer, larger hotels were built elsewhere on the island.

In the mid-1980s new investment on Ocean Drive led to a resurgence of interest in South Beach (and Miami Beach in general), eventually positioning it as an international destination.

The historic core is the Miami Beach Architectural District, which includes much of the southern third of the city and encompasses the Art Deco District of mostly smaller hotels, commercial strips, and residential areas.

The latter elements are progressively more prevalent towards the Biscayne Bay side of the island.

According to the nomination form the district “contains the largest concentration of 1920s and 1930s era resort architecture in the United States.” 

Visit Thomas Wilson’s Substack at:

https://thomasdwilson.substack.com/p/exceptional-places

 

QUITE A BIT TO CELEBRATE

PRIVILEGED TO SHARE

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

On location at the endless miles of wheelchair accessible boardwalks at Algar Seco near Carvoeiro in Portugal's Algarve

In the space of little more than a month, I have:

Headlined as a speaker on Universal Design and Sustainability at the Florida REALTORS statewide conference in Orlando.

Served as a key speaker at the American Planning Association’s statewide conference in Tampa.

Participated in the launch of the Saudades book, which features my fine art photography, which also is on display in the gallery section of Books & Books in Coral Gables.

Been featured as an on screen global expert on creating a better built environment for people with disabilities in the documentary film “Mark – A Call to Action” which released globally online, streaming and on DVD this month.

Traveled the Algarve and beyond in Portugal as a Universal Design expert consultant.

This coming week, I turn 60. 

I will weigh less than I did at age 16. 

Which means I was overweight for four decades, but finally figured things out and shed way more than 100 pounds.

PROUD TO BE PART OF THE ARTISTIC EVENT OF THE YEAR IN MIAMI

SAUDADES BOOK SIGNING AT BOOKS & BOOKS CORAL GABLES

Book signing, poetry reading, art gallery and live performance for world premiere book release party.

The major artistic book featuring me as a visual artist has published its first run: 8.5 x 11, Full Color, 215 pages!

The book signing event and evening of art happing this coming Friday (Oct. 4) at Books & Books Coral Gables.

The book features 28 artists from 12 countries.

It from the untranslatable words series.

Thanks to the brilliant project leader Amy Serrano (pictured with the book).

SAUDADES: ANTHOLOGICAL CONTEMPLATIONS ON PERSON, PLACES, IDENTITY AND TIME

 HOT OFF THE PRESS

The major artistic book featuring me as a visual artist has published its first run: 8.5 x 11, Full Color, 215 pages!

Book signing event in Miami Oct. 4.

Thanks to the brilliant project leader Amy Serrano (pictured with the book). 

A great step forward in my growth as a street photographer that exhibits. 

Wonderful to be in the company of Carlos Navarro and Diego Quiros.

SAVE MY LITTLE HAVANA:

STEVE WRIGHT PHOTO EXHIBIT AT THE ART DECO MUSEUM

For Steve Wright, this is also a full circle moment, as he is now having his work displayed at one of the institutions that inspired him to fully relocate to the Magic City.

“I can’t tell you what a dream it is… it’s wonderful coming back to where it all began for my journey in Miami,” he says.   

“You cannot stop progress, but you can protect history and authenticity. 

This exhibit is in Miami Beach, which has done a world-renowned exemplary job of balancing growth with protecting its famous, incomparable Art Deco District.”

SAVE MY LITTLE HAVANA:

STEVE WRIGHT PHOTO EXHIBIT AT THE ART DECO MUSEUM

“There is a humanity and a human scale to these 3 story buildings.

I don’t want to see these little charming buildings become faceless towers.”

Steve Wright hopes to inspire visitors to become more involved in the historic preservation and adaptive reuse of Little Havana’s unique architecture, as many of the buildings are in need of intensive care.

 

 

SAVE MY LITTLE HAVANA:

STEVE WRIGHT PHOTO EXHIBIT AT THE ART DECO MUSEUM

Steve Wright is passionate about helping to preserve what makes Little Havana special. 

As the city continues to grow and expand, and neighborhoods like Brickell continue to urbanize the city, he hopes to raise awareness of the hidden gems of the edifices that have graced his neighborhood for the past century.

“There’s been so much explosive growth in Miami.

I fear that these gorgeous buildings will be torn down because it’s not as photogenic as Ocean Drive… 

I feel a strong sense of community from that authenticity and heritage,” he adds.

SAVE MY LITTLE HAVANA:

STEVE WRIGHT PHOTO EXHIBIT AT THE ART DECO MUSEUM

For the exhibition, Steve Wright was inspired by the rehabilitation of his own home in Little Havana. 

He is the owner of a 1920s Spanish Mission-style home in the Shenandoah section of Little Havana.

“When it was time to find a house and put down roots here, I settled for Little Havana because it has great architecture and great culture.”

With this series of photographs, Wright aimed to capture Little Havana’s hidden historic gems, saying

“There are several Art Deco buildings in Little Havana that are on par with the Art Deco district in Miami Beach.”

SAVE MY LITTLE HAVANA:

STEVE WRIGHT PHOTO EXHIBIT AT THE ART DECO MUSEUM

An Ohio native who first came to Miami Beach while working on a story on a local cruise ship, Steve Wright says a guided MDPL tour he took in the late 1990s inspired him to relocate to the Magic City.

I went to the gift shop and went on a tour and was kind of sold for life, and moved out here by 2000,” he says.

Wright, who previously worked for former City Commissioner Joe Sanchez, is an advocate for disability rights.

SHARING A YEAR OF SUCCESS

IN STORYTELLING, PLANNING, KEYNOTE SPEAKING, EDUCATING, INFLUENCING AND EXHIBITING AS A VISUAL ARTIST AND ACTIVIST

I’d like to reflect on a year of unprecedented travel, workshops, projects, publishing and appearing in the media – all aimed at making the world a better place for all.

So, appropriating the 12 Days of Christmas into the 12 months of Activism, here goes:

On the first month of creating a better built environment for people with disabilities, my passionate hard work gave to me:

1 School of architecture guest lecture

2 Proclamations praising

3 Acclaimed photography exhibits

4 TV appearances as an expert

5 Keynote speeches

6 Passport stamps from international consulting

7 Global radio broadcasts

8 Universal design workshops

9  New design inclusion clients

10 Daily social media posts on design and DEI

11 Podcasts on planning

12 Published cover articles

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL 

WHO HAVE SUPPORTED MY PASSIONATE WORK

SAVE MY LITTLE HAVANA:

STEVE WRIGHT PHOTO EXHIBIT AT THE ART DECO MUSEUM

A vibrant new photography exhibit headlined the Art Deco Museum at the Art Deco Welcome Center, as part of its revamped Featured Local Artist Program.

“Save My Little Havana” by writer and photographer Steve Wright tells the story of his neighborhood’s many historic residential and commercial buildings.

MEET STEVE WRIGHT (PROFILE FROM SHOUTOUT MIAMI)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER/UNIVERSAL DESIGN THOUGHT LEADER/PLANNER/EDUCATOR

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I would start at the Ball and Chain in the heart of Little Havana’s Calle Ocho. It was a big key to the turnaround of this famous main street of Miami’s most famous neighborhood.

I live within walking distance.

The owners are super community minded. They buy historic buildings and rebuild them — so they don’t fall prey to the wrecking ball.
The music, drinks and bar food are great too.

I would then go on a walking tour of Shenandoah — the part of Little Havana that I’ve lived in for 20+ years. There are tons of unique houses and apartments. You can see Spanish Mission, Mediterranean, Art Deco, Belvedere Bungalow and all kinds of unique, built from scratch homes from the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s.

For a great meal and a fair price, I’d go to La Camaronera on Flagler Street. I remember when this was a little standup counter with maybe a half dozen total food items — all fresh from the sea. The seafood is still fresh caught, but now there are more than a dozen tables. And along with the signature fried fish and shrimp sandwiches, there are some gourmet plates and even craft beer. It’s a nice transition of a very longtime family business into one that’s perfect for locals and visitors.

I’d also take a stroll north of Calle Ocho toward the Miami River. This area also has great old 1920s apartments, houses, churches and businesses. It’s still a bit hard scrabble, but perfectly safe. My photo exhibit at the Miami Beach Art Deco Welcome Center on Ocean Drive at 10th Avenue showcased my images of this area.

I would enjoy the heart of Calle Ocho — roughly between 12 and 17 Avenues — though a lot of new development is heading east of 12th — and stop at SW 13 Ave. There, you can walk a meandering path among mature trees and many public monuments that cover the history of the Cuban exile experience in Miami.

Many of the old homes have been restored, though there are not any shops or restaurants on the area known as Cuban Memorial Boulevard. When you reach Coral Way on the south end of the path, you are rewarded by another tree-lined main street with tons of mom and pop restaurants, bakeries and shops.

Everybody knows Miami Beach and nearby Little Havana neighborhoods of Coconut Grove and the city of Coral Gables, so I’ll reserve my tips solely for la Pequena Habana.

 

MEET STEVE WRIGHT (PROFILE FROM SHOUTOUT MIAMI)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER/UNIVERSAL DESIGN THOUGHT LEADER/PLANNER/EDUCATOR

For more than 20 years, I have been the go-to writer on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — through the lens of a better built environment for people with disabilities — for the National Association of REALTORS.

My Pulitzer-nominated, award-winning writing has been featured in Planning Magazine, the publication of the American Planning Association.

I have been a speaker on Universal Design and inclusion at a nationwide APA conference.

MEET STEVE WRIGHT (PROFILE FROM SHOUTOUT MIAMI)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER/UNIVERSAL DESIGN THOUGHT LEADER/PLANNER/EDUCATOR

I have had the privilege of working as a featured contributing writer to the United Spinal Association and its New Mobility Magazine for more than two decades. 

United Spinal is the premier nonprofit for people with spinal cord injuries and all who use a wheelchair for mobility.

I very much enjoyed writing legislation and create public policy for the better part of a decade for Miami City Commissioner Joe Sanchez, who represented Little Havana.

MEET STEVE WRIGHT (PROFILE FROM SHOUTOUT MIAMI)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER/UNIVERSAL DESIGN THOUGHT LEADER/PLANNER/EDUCATOR

My disability advocacy was rewarded when I co-created the groundbreaking Universal Design course for graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Miami School of Architecture.

My advice is to turn your passion into your career. 

You may not get Bill Gates rich, but you will have a very rewarding career.

I’ve also learned to be flexible. 

When I started at a newspaper, I figured I’d work as a daily journalist for more than half a century…till I slumped over my desk after filing a front page story.

The internet greatly reduced the profitability of newspapers, so I later pursued careers in public service, marketing, business development, content creation and creative arts.

MEET STEVE WRIGHT (PROFILE FROM SHOUTOUT MIAMI)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER/UNIVERSAL DESIGN THOUGHT LEADER/PLANNER/EDUCATOR

Learning about town planning and urban design shaped my career as a writer.

I have published thousands of stories about how to make our cities a better place to live — for all people of all abilities, backgrounds and incomes.

I bought a camera to illustrate my stories, even though the Columbus Dispatch newspaper had a staff of top-nothing photojournalists.

When I moved to Miami in 2000, I started having exhibits of my photos — from my trips to Spain and South and Central America.

I got to work with the greatest photographer of the 20th century — Ara Guler, The Eye of Istanbul. 

I edited the English language version of his biography.

MEET STEVE WRIGHT (PROFILE FROM SHOUTOUT MIAMI)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER/UNIVERSAL DESIGN THOUGHT LEADER/PLANNER/EDUCATOR

I am from Ohio, so I am grounded, loyal and show up on time.

My late mother struggled with severe mental illness for her entire adult life.

I became a writer because I wanted to tell the stories of all people — including those that struggled each day of their life.

I later became a leading disability advocate, clearly an outgrowth as a child who served as his mom’s caregiver.

I started out as a daily newspaper reporter for a large paper in my native Ohio.

I wanted to be a pro sports team beat writer, but got started covering suburban government and zoning meetings.

JUST IN TIME FOR ART BASEL MIAMI

 A POP UP ART SHOW IN THE HEART OF LITTLE HAVANA

--WHEN THE ART WORLD IS FOCUSED ON THE MAGIC CITY

I’m honored to be one of the featured artists at Art & Design Gallery’s event during Art Basel Miami.

It takes place 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday December 8 and Saturday December 9 at 2380 SW 9 Street Miami – footsteps from my historic Little Havana home and just a block south of wonderful Calle Ocho.

The free event will feature art displays and sales, live music, food and more at Art by Hurley.

RSVP at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/miami-art-exhibit-tickets-764844840507

GRATIFIED TO HAVE MY PHOTOGRAPHY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACTIVISM RECOGNIZED WITH A PROCLAMATION

BY THE HONORABLE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSIONER EILEEN HIGGINS

Thrilled to give a special tour of my Little Havana photography exhibit to the Honorable Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins.

I was honored to received an official Miami-Dade County Commendation recognizing my art and activism.

Commissioner Higgins has proudly represented Little Havana by ensuring there is funding to preserve great buildings with affordable housing.

I’m am thankful, proud and gratified to receive recognition of my tireless work to make Miami a better place.

There are so many stories to tell about Little Havana.

It is a rich tapestry of historic buildings, trailblazing immigrants, world class artists, renowned musicians, mom and pop restaurants and growing nightlife scene.

I have happily called Little Havana home for more than two decades.

I bought an old house in very bad shape and lovingly restored what is now a lovely Spanish Mission Style century old abode that fronts historic William Jennings Bryan Park.

I told Little Havana’s stories when I worked from Miami City Commissioner Joe Sanchez.

Thanks to our efforts, more than three million people visit the famous Calle Ocho corridor each year.

But as Little Havana becomes popular, it also is under threat.

The high rise Brickell district has somewhat jumped west of I-95.

The buildings are not skyscrapers, but dozens of bland, faceless buildings – with expensive rents – have replaced quaint, small, beautiful 3-story Mediterranean and Art Deco buildings that have supplied affordable housing in Little Havana for decades.

When I went on a journey that resulted in losing far more than 100 pounds, I started walking my neighborhood.

I photographed the backstreets.

I documented the lovely apartments, houses, churches and commercial buildings.