Welcome (Back) to the Miami Minute
From the Marilyn Cromer Team, The Miami Minute is your go-to for real estate insights, local updates, and what’s happening around town.
Is August the Time to Move?
Did you know August might be one of the best times to make a move? With fewer buyers in the market, sellers returning from summer travel, and families aiming to close before the holidays, there’s a real window of opportunity. We’ll handle it while you handle carpool.
Lunchbox Giveaway!
We’re giving away a Bentgo Kids Bento Box: durable, leak-proof, and perfect for ages 3–7. Follow us on Instagram @marilyncromerteam and tag 2 friends for a chance to win! We’ll be posting the giveaway next month to promote the latest Miami Minute. Keep an eye out!
Tax-Free All August
Florida’s back-to-school tax holiday runs all month long, for the first time ever. From August 1–31, shop tax-free on clothes (up to $100), school supplies (up to $50), and even computers (up to $1,500). Stock up, save big.
If Miami Neighborhoods Were School Subjects…
🎨 Coconut Grove = Art Class – Creative vibes, leafy streets, and galleries galore
🔬 Pinecrest = Honors Science – Top schools, sprawling yards, family-friendly feels
📜 Coral Gables = AP History – Timeless architecture and classic charm
🏃♂️ South Miami = Recess – Parks, playgrounds, and that chill neighborhood energy
🌿 Palmetto Bay = Outdoor Exploration – A nature lover’s dream classroom
🌆 Central Miami = Urban Studies – A mosaic of culture, art, and nonstop city life
Thinking about where your family fits best? Let’s chat about neighborhoods that match your lifestyle and priorities.
Dining
Miami Spice
Now-August | Across Miami
Restaurants across the city are serving up three-course meals at can't-miss prices—$35 for brunch/lunch, and $45 or $60 for dinner. Try La Boulangerie Boul'Mich in Pinecrest, Bouchon, Mika, and Sra. Martinez in Coral Gables, and Level 6 and Narbona in the Grove.
Daniel’s Steakhouse
Coral Gables
A new name in refined dining has arrived. After a successful opening in Fort Lauderdale, Daniel’s is now open in the Gables, bringing globally sourced steaks, fresh seafood, and house-made pastas to a sleek, modern setting.
Si Papa
Coconut Grove
A new Italian-inspired lasagna-only restaurant offering an intimate 24-seat dining experience centered around a rich, bolognese-style lasagna. Get there before they sell out!
Sapore di Mare moves
Coconut Grove
The beloved Italian seafood spot is relocating this fall to 3433 Main Hwy, just a block away, as its longtime Grand Ave location makes way for new development. Expect all the favorites: lobster ravioli, truffle cacio e pepe, and more.
South Florida Insider
Stricter Rules for Teen Drivers
Teens 15–17 must now take a six-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety course—not just the old drug and alcohol class—to get a permit. The updated training covers defensive driving, distracted driving risks, and more to help reduce teen crashes.
Speeding Penalties Increased
Driving 100+ mph or 50+ over the limit? You now face mandatory court, hefty fines, possible jail time, and license suspension under Florida’s tougher speeding laws.
Text 911
This feature is now live in Miami-Dade County, including Coral Gables. Ideal for those who are deaf, speech-impaired, or in situations where it’s unsafe to call. Text must include nature of emergency and location.
Fluoride Update
As of July 1, fluoride is no longer added to the county’s water supply—ending a practice started in 1958. The change follows new state legislation and ongoing debate over health impacts.
Coral Gables Emergency Alerts
Residents are encouraged to download the Everbridge app or text CoralGables to 888-777 for storm-related updates.
Miami’s Signature Bridge Takes Shape
With three arches nearly complete, the Signature Bridge will span Biscayne Blvd and anchor a 33-acre park. Praised for its vision but plagued by delays and costs, completion is now slated for late 2029.
New Wave of Development in Sunset Harbour
The Office Depot property in Miami Beach's Sunset Harbour sold last month for $28.5 million, marking the exit of the neighborhood’s last big-box retailer and paving the way for a major new wave of upscale development in this rapidly evolving district.
Latest Happenings
Miami Kids Magazine Back-To-School Bash
Saturday, August 9, 11am–1:30pm
The Shops at Sunset Place, South Miami
Free backpacks and school supplies (while supplies last), face painting, games, live entertainment, and special activities.
The Slime Factory
Open daily
The Falls, 8888 SW 136th St, Miami, FL 33176
The Slime Factory has officially opened at The Falls in Miami, offering a fun, hands-on sensory slime experience perfect for kids and families looking to get creative and messy. Book your slime experience ticket for a slime making class with an instructor.
Disney’s Tarzan at Area Stage
Thursdays–Sundays, Now–August
Area Stage Company, The Shops at Sunset Place, 5701 Sunset Dr,
South Miami, FL 33143
Experience the thrilling, immersive musical Tarzan at Area Stage this summer, where audiences of all ages can swing into adventure with high-energy storytelling, dynamic audience interaction, and Phil Collins’ memorable hits. Shows run Thursdays through Sundays at The Shops at Sunset Place.
Miami Spa Month
Now–August
Locations Across Miami
Indulge in luxe treatments at unbeatable prices during Miami Spa Month. Some of our favorite spots to unwind: The Ritz-Carlton Spa Coconut Grove, The Biltmore Hotel Spa, and The Spa at Loews Coral Gables. Treat yourself.
Coco's Corner
Hi from the back seat! With school almost back in session, traffic is picking up — especially during morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups. It’s a good time to plan ahead and leave a few extra minutes to get where you're going. And remember: school zone speed limits in areas like Pinecrest, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, and South Miami are 15mph and strictly enforced on school days. Driving more than 10mph over the limit means a $100 fine, even if you don’t get points on your license.
Expert Insider
Back-to-School Tips with Dr. Lauren Carbonell, PsyD, PMH-C
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Pediatric Psychology Associates
Q: What’s the best way to scale back screen time without triggering meltdowns or power struggles?
A: Start by frontloading the change about a week before the shift, let kids know screens will be adjusting as part of getting back into school mode. Try: “Starting next week, we’ll begin winding down screen time so your brain and body can get ready for school again.”Invite them into the process: ask what time of day they enjoy screens most and when they’d feel okay taking breaks. They may not love it (spoiler alert: they won’t), but including them gives them a sense of ownership. You might say: “I know you wish screen time could go on forever me too sometimes! But we’re making some changes to help you feel ready for school.”Create a visual schedule with clear limits. Bonus points if it’s colorful, includes stickers, and features a dinosaur riding a skateboard (or whatever their current obsession is). When pushback comes and it will stay anchored. When kids feel seen, not controlled, they’re less likely to spiral into meltdown territory. Keep your cool. No power struggles necessary.
Q: Do you recommend any morning or evening rituals that help set kids up for success with getting in back to school mode?
A: Absolutely. Rituals ground kids, especially during transitions. To shift from summer mode to school mode, practice your new routine before school starts both in real time and through play.Drive by the school and rehearse drop-off. Let them walk the campus or visit the playground. At home, role-play drop-off with stuffed animals. Laughs guaranteed and secretly, it builds emotional readiness.Evening routines matter too. Rehearse the basics packing the backpack, laying out clothes, brushing teeth with consistency and visual cues (think: picture charts in the bathroom, bedroom, or wherever the nightly chaos begins). Predictability builds comfort.And when it’s time to remind kids to do the routine things? Turn up the fun volume. Play = cooperation. Kids follow through more when they feel connected not commanded.
Q: What role does sleep play in the back-to-school transition, and how far in advance should families start adjusting bedtime?
A: Well-rested kids are more emotionally regulated, flexible, and ready to learn. Ideally, begin shifting bedtime 1–2 weeks before school starts. Move it earlier in small chunks 10 to 15 minutes every few nights until you reach your target time.Focus on routine more than the clock. Wind down the house dim the lights, reduce screen time, lower the energy. Create a predictable sequence (bath, books, snuggle, lights out) and stick to it.If your child keeps getting up like a bedtime boomerang, keep it boring. Gently walk them back with minimal talking and no negotiating. You might say: “It’s sleep time. I’ll see you in the morning.” Repeat as many times as necessary. Calm consistency sends a message: this is safe, this is predictable.
Q: What are some gentle ways to support kids who are struggling with separation anxiety or who say, “I don’t want to go to school”?
A: Preparation is everything. Start practicing separations before school starts. One of the most effective ways to do this is role reversal: you pretend not to want to leave your child. They’ll giggle and also absorb the message that separation doesn’t mean disconnection.Use dolls or stuffed animals to act out school drop-offs. Make the bear nervous about school and guide them through it. Kids process big feelings through play so rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.Talk to school counselors and teachers about your child’s needs before day one. Come up with a clear drop-off plan so the transition feels smoother.And when your child says, “I don’t want to go,” resist the urge to logic or overly reassure. Instead, stay confident and calm: “You don’t want to go. A part of you wishes we could stay together all day. That makes sense. And I’ll be back to get you after school.”Avoid over-reassuring (“It’s going to be great! You’ll make so many friends!”) which can backfire and amplify their anxiety. Instead, trust that your steady presence and clear plan will help them build tolerance and confidence with time.
