Latest news with #SLAM
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Miami's Olympia Theater has decades of history. Share your best memories with us
Miami officials are considering turning over control of the historic Olympia Theater, which was built in 1926, to the Sports Leadership Arts Management public charter school in Little Havana, also known as SLAM. The vote to decide the fate of the venue, on Flagler Street in downtown Miami, was delayed Thursday following criticism of the potential deal. The theater, which also was known as the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts from the mid-1970s to 2014, has hosted a wide range of artists and events, including Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Jimmy Buffett and the Miami Film Festival. Do you have fond memories of the Olympia Theater? Share them with us and they may be included in a future Miami Herald story. Can't see the form below? Click here to fill it out.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Miami Commission saw a half-baked deal on Olympia Theater and made the right call
The Herald Editorial Board hasn't minced words to criticize the Miami City Commission, many times calling it dysfunctional. But, on Thursday, commissioners gave a unified show of good governance when they voted unanimously to defer a decision on whether to allow the city to work on a deal to turn over the storied Olympia Theater to a charter-school operator. The proposal will now be discussed at a July 24 meeting. Commissioners Joe Carollo and Ralph Rosado asked that three public hearings take place before the city makes a decision. That's important; the public had almost no time to speak on this idea, which would essentially result in a publicly owned and much-loved asset being handed over to a charter school company. The proposed deal caught both the public and the commission off guard. Carollo said he didn't hear about it until Tuesday, two days before he and his colleagues were supposed to vote. That's when many members of the public and the Editorial Board found out about it, too. Rosado called for more 'clarity and transparency' on what the deal actually entails. As the Miami Herald reported, the 'transfer' of the 1926 historic theater to rapper Pitbull's Sports Leadership Arts Management public charter school, also known as SLAM, remains 'murky.' SLAM is a nonprofit but it is managed by Academica, a for-profit charter-school operator with deep political ties in Florida. The deal itself has not been publicly vetted or discussed, the Herald reported. No formal appraisal of the building has been released. The theater would be be used for educational programs for the downtown public charter school Miami Tech at Mater Innovation Academy, which would be renamed the 'Miami Innovation & Arts Academy.' Commission Chair Christine King said that although Miami Dade College is expected to be a partner in the school, she worried that partnership would not be sufficiently specified in a contract with the city, and the college's reputation would only be used to sell the deal. The Olympia Theater is a Miami gem. The building features an elaborate theater in classic 1920s style, with a soaring ceiling replicating a night sky with twinkling stars and passing clouds. It started as a silent movie theater and later hosted stars such as Elvis Presley. Is turning it into an education facility the best use of this building on Flagler Street in downtown — an area that's being redeveloped at the heart of the city? At the very least, there should be a guarantee that the theater will host a sufficient number of events that are open to the public every year — and we're not talking about a couple of performances a year just to check a box. Residents and commissioners should resist any attempt to turn the building into a private facility that's a public benefit in name only. The Olympia has fallen into disrepair and has barely been used in the past five years, with some exceptions, such as the Miami Film Festival. In 2018, WLRN reported, the property was issued a demolition notice by the city's own building department. And, in 2019, the heirs of late philanthropist Maurice Gusman, who gave the theater to the Miami Parking Authority in 1975, sued Miami to take back control of the venue. That lawsuit is pending and the deal with SLAM is contingent upon a settlement with the Gusman family. Oddly, the city hasn't said where the family stands on the deal. The Gusmans have not issued a public statement. City Manager Art Noriega has said Miami's government is not the best entity to run the theater and keep up with the costs of restoring and maintaining it. That may be true but Carollo brought up a good point during Thursday's meeting. He said he's seen 'money blown away' on other projects and priorities without a mention of the need to set aside money for the Olympia. He said there's been a 'lack of will' to fund the facility. Perhaps Carollo is right. Yes, restoring the Olympia could cost upwards of $40 million, as the Herald reported. But had the city prioritized the Olympia over the years, would the venue have reached the point of what appears to be a fire sale to SLAM? We hope the City Commission maintains its commitment to thoroughly study the idea of transferring ownership of the Olympia Theater to a charter school company, to allow public input and, crucially, to consider other alternatives that are in the public's best interest. Click here to send the letter.
Syyaha
18-06-2025
- Business
- Syyaha
iKitBot Leads the Way in Sustainable Robotic Cleaning Solutions
As advancements in technology continue to offer better alternatives in cleaning, iKitBot, an intelligent cleaning robot, is becoming the top choice for organizations that want to embrace smarter and more sustainable ways to maintain cleanliness. iKitBot has emerged as a trusted solution for commercial and public environments. It was developed to meet the growing demand for efficient, contactless, and consistent cleaning solutions, especially in high-traffic environments like large commercial spaces, government buildings, shopping malls, hospitals, corporate offices, smart cities, airports, entertainment complexes and educational with a modular mechanical design, iKitBot can quickly replace cleaning tools for simplified daily maintenance. It comes with five versatile cleaning modes: Sweep, Wash, Scrub, Vacuum, and Mop, making it adaptable for a wide range of surfaces and cleaning needs. Its advanced cleaning system also supports multiple cleaning combinations, such as 'Sweep + Mop', 'Sweep + Vacuum + Mop', and 'Scrub + Vacuum', to ensure optimal results across any surface features an AI system that allows real-time path planning, obstacle avoidance, real-time monitoring and adaptive cleaning. All of this is made possible with its 13 high-precision onboard sensors that include LiDAR, 3D cameras, and SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology. With these technologies, it is able to work autonomously and without human intervention. It even features seamless smart building integration, allowing it to interact with elevators and access control systems to extend its operations across multi-floor also operates with a remarkably low noise level as low as 50dB@1m even at full capacity, making it suitable for noise-sensitive environments. iKitBot's quiet operation is made possible with Japanese ultra-silent materials and a proprietary multi-stage noise reduction design that doesn't compromise its cleaning maintains its eco-friendly efficiency by using dispensing systems that precisely disperse chemical usage and utilize smart scheduling and power management features to reduce power consumption. The central control system supports multi-unit scheduling and remote monitoring via a mobile app, making it ideal for large-scale deployment in commercial environments. Additionally, it offers live monitoring of cleaning efficiency thanks to AI and IoT integration.'iKitBot is a great example of how robotics and AI can bring real, everyday value to organizations,' said Anwar Almahrasi, Business Development Director, PROVEN Robotics. 'Our clients who have been using iKitBot are now seeing the real improvements in efficiency and operational cost savings, helping make everyday processes more effective and environmentally responsible.'The launch of iKitBot saw measurable improvements in cleaning efficiency and labor optimization after it was deployed in major commercial centers and hospitals across the GCC. As such, ongoing development is already taking place to focus on improving its functions and adding more features. Some of which include integration with smart building systems, voice assistant compatibility, and enhanced reporting dashboards. iKitBot is now available across Saudi Arabia through PROVEN Robotics, offering full lifecycle support, including deployment, training, preventive maintenance, and SLA-backed technical services.
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Shock moment Love Islanders get surprise news AFTER recoupling – and fans think they've ‘worked out' what it is
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Islanders get surprising news after tonight's recoupling - and fans think they've 'worked out' what it is. The 12th series continues to show no mercy in week one with another Islander dumped just days after launch night. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Love Islanders get surprising news after tonight's recoupling - and fans think they've 'worked out' what it is Credit: ITV 4 An extra text arrives that none of the Islanders had seen coming Credit: ITV 4 The 12th series continues to show no mercy in week one with another Islander dumped just days after launch night Credit: ITV Manchester beauty Sophie Lee was the first contestant to be sent packing after she became the victim of an opening twist. Shakira saved herself by picking a boy she wanted to couple with. By choosing footballer Harry Cooksley, she eliminated Sophie. This time around, it's a boy who bites the dust after one is left single in a shock recoupling. It follows the arrival of bombshells Shea Mannings and Remell Mullins, both of which got to pick first in the villa reshuffle. This leaves the boys wondering if they've done enough to be chosen. Toni says: 'Tables have turned!' They haven't got long to wait. That evening Tommy gets a text: Can all Islanders gather around the Firepit immediately, #DecisionTime. As the boys line up, the girls get ready to make their choices and their first speeches at the Firepit. Love Island star Shakira's family SLAM show rival for catty comments saying 'what is her problem-' But will they stay coupled up with their current partners or have the events of the past few days been enough to make them take action? And that's not all for this re-coupling as a surprise extra text arrives that none of the Islanders had seen coming. Fans flocked to Reddit to share their opinions and one said: "I wonder what the text is that no one saw coming. "I think it's that the bombshells pick first as i doubt they would dump them after 24 hours Or new bombshell." Love Island 2025 - current couples LOVE Island's 2025 cast have already undergone a shake-up, here are the latest couples: Sophie Lee has been given the boot Shakira Khan , 22, chose her partner Harry Cooksley , 30, to re-couple up with Harry Cooksley to re-couple up with Now the couples are - Toni and Ben Meg and Dejon Shakira and Harry Helena and Conor Alima and Blu Megan and Tommy. Another suggested: "I think Toni might choose Conor. Then maybe a new bombshell comes in and has to choose between Ben and Blu to even out the numbers." While a third said: "After reading the press release I think Shakira picks Ben and Toni picks Conor. Blu and Shea are left. "Either they send in a bombshell to pick between them or the group gets to decide which one to dump." But another had a different opinion and suggested: "I think they are gonna go on a date with a bombshell and she is gonna choose the one she wants." Meanwhile, Love Island star Shakira's family have slammed a show rival for catty comments saying 'what is her problem?' And chaos reigns in the villa as Harry finds out about Shakira's Hideaway kiss and Shea tries to split the show's most solid couple. Plus viewers have ranted "get him out", after they claimed one of the boys is showing "scary red flag behaviour." 4 The boys feel nervous at tonight's recoupling Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Love Island airs on ITV2 and ITVX.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark sets record for any SLAM magazine cover at nearly $5k
The Caitlin Clark cover is one of just a few to be graded CGC 9.9. (Credit: Goldin Auctions) When Caitlin Clark first graced the cover of SLAM in her Iowa Hawkeyes jersey in April 2024, the headline read, 'The Legend of Caitlin Clark Is Just Beginning.' More than a year later, that proclamation could not be more true, both on the hardwood and in the collectible world. Advertisement The single-highest graded copy of that magazine (CGC 9.9) sold Saturday at Goldin Auctions for a record $4,819, the most ever paid for a copy of SLAM. It's one of around 10 SLAM magazines ever given a CGC 9.9. CGC has graded more than 250 copies of the Clark debut magazine total, including more than 150 at CGC 9.8. Debut magazines are highly coveted among collectors, with athletes' first Sports Illustrated covers often acting as an approximate for a sort of magazine rookie card. Michael Jordan's first Sports Illustrated sold for a record $126,000. SLAM is generally far less valuable, though as the brand has sought to become more collectible in recent years, even issuing numbered variants for some releases, prices on the secondary market have been rising. Advertisement Last month, Clark was once again placed on the cover of SLAM for the magazine's WNBA season preview, selling out of the 'gold metal' variant (numbered to 94 copies and priced at $94) nearly instantly. Clark was also recently featured on the June cover of Sports Illustrated along with Indiana Fever teammates Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston and DeWanna Bonner. Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.
