🤩 Happy Friday!

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, with a high of 84 and a low of 75.

🎶 Sounds like: "Dine N'Dash" by The Strokes

🎂 Happy birthday to our member Theresa Emmert!

Today’s newsletter is 1,090 words — a 4-minute read.

Miami-Dade libraries face big budget cuts after voters passed Amendment 3 — and now advocates are figuring out a path forward.

Why it matters: Amendment 3 will deliver a tax break to homeowners but slash funding for local governments, including the Miami-Dade Public Library System, which is funded through a special taxing district.

Threat level: Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library has warned that the amendment could lead to mass library closures and job cuts.

• Amendment 3 is expected to slash library funding by $21 million next year, or about 17% of their budget, according to county projections.
• That gap would increase to $38.7 million, or 31% of the budget, by 2028.

The latest: The nonprofit plans to lobby state and county leaders, and work with partners to find long-term funding solutions.

• The group is also asking the community to chip in with donations, write letters of support and visit their local libraries to demonstrate the demand.

What they're saying: Kristy Quiros, a board trustee and advocacy chair with Friends of the MDPL, tells Axios she hopes private donors "will rise to the occasion, but everybody is about to have their hand out because this is so much more far reaching than I think people recognize."

• She says her immediate focus is the special legislative session that Gov. Ron DeSantis will convene to implement Amendment 3.
• Quiros says she wants state lawmakers to include libraries among the core services that can be funded through property taxes under the amendment.

Ava Habif, executive director of the nonprofit, wrote in an email to supporters Wednesday that cutting libraries would go against the affordability message that dominated the pro-Amendment 3 campaign.

• "Libraries make every part of life more affordable, are fair and open to everyone, and give everyone a fair shot at opportunity," Habif wrote.

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In classic Miami fashion, there's a million and one things happening around town this weekend.

🏎️ Nascar Championship Weekend: Three days of racing, with the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Sunday.

• Friday-Sunday, Homestead-Miami Speedway. Ticket prices vary.

🇬🇷 North Miami Greek Festival: Enjoy a weekend full of authentic foods, cultural experiences and family-friendly events.

• Friday-Saturday (11am-11pm), Sunday (11am-9pm), Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Free.

📚 The Great Big Free Book Fair: Meet authors and librarians, and enjoy story time and arts and crafts activities. Plus, free books for every child.

• Saturday, Culmer/Overtown Branch Library, 10am-2pm.

🪩 Disco Domingo: The daytime dance party is back for Season 2 with an afternoon of live DJ sets, dancing and drink specials.

• Sunday, River House Wine & Bar, 2-8pm. Tickets: $30.

More events

🥺 After 75 years, Shorty's Bar-B-Q will close its Dadeland location on Dec. 27 to make way for a new development. (Miami New Times)

• It still has locations open in West Miami and Davie.

👀 Brickell's LPM Restaurant & Bar has a new cocktail program and an expanded patio, part of a $3 million renovation. (New Times)

🏗️ Construction and repairs of new and existing fire stations in the city of Miami could begin in 2027, following the approval of a $450 million bond for public safety improvement. (WLRN)

Put Anako on your list of restaurants to try if it isn't already.

Why it matters: The Little River restaurant offering a modern take on Filipino cuisine opened last month after much anticipation — and it absolutely lived up to our expectations (at least after just one visit).

The vibe: Your neighborhood go-to spot — perfect for a casual dinner with a friend or a special occasion.

• The deep plum-colored walls give it a relaxing, intimate feel; the open kitchen concept provided that elevated dining experience.

State of plate: The menu is split into sections: bites, to share, large plates and desserts. Diners are encouraged to enjoy the dishes family style.

• For drinks, we tried an orange wine and the Sili Margarita, which wasn't too sweet and had a nice kick.

Dig in: I went with my friend Ali and we opted for the Palengke Salad ($21), Chili Prawn Noodles ($36) and Kare Kare ($48). We couldn't pick our favorite.

• The salad: The assortment of greens, herbs and citrus was light and refreshing with a lovely crunch. The herbs (basil, dill, mint) really come through.
• The 'noods: Dare I say…perfect? The egg noodles were glossy, while the seasonal mushrooms, prawns and chili crumbs offered lovely textures.
• The meat: The slow-braised oxtail falls off the bone. This dish comes with rice, so you'll want to drench your bowl with a few spoonfuls of the peanut curry sauce.

The intrigue: The Kare Kare comes with a fermented shrimp paste on the side. We were told a little goes a long way, so we expected heat.

• Nope! Salty (think: sardines from the can). Add a pinch to your dish for that umami flavor.

The bottom line: It's on the pricier side for a dinner for two, but it's worth it for a meal that lives up to the hype.

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We're pumped that Inter Miami has invited us to play in their Copa de Medios media soccer match at Nu Stadium this Sunday!

Why it matters: We're going to dress up in full Inter kits and play on the same pitch that Lionel Messi and his teammates call home.

• As if that isn't cool enough, retired U.S. Men's National Team legend Landon Donovan — who hosts the podcast Unfiltered Soccer — is playing, too.

How it works: Media members will be split up into four teams who will compete for bragging rights and a media trophy.

• 🤩 Sommer, a lifelong soccer player who's living out a childhood dream, is on Team ERGO NEXT.
• ⚽️ Martin — who will do his best on defense — is on Team Presagio.

How to watch: We will be posting live updates of the match day on our Instagram!

What's next: Inter Miami plays its final match of the 2026 regular season on Saturday at 4pm and the club is hosting a fan appreciation day.

• The defending MLS Cup champions have clinched a playoff spot and are guaranteed a home match at Nu Stadium to kick off the post-season.

🤞Martin is going to try not to pull a hammy.

😎 Sommer hasn't played in like a year because of an injury, but she's excited to bend it like Beckham.

This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.