Aqua Girl - May 15th-19th
Now in its fourteenth fabulous year, Aqua Girl continues to attract women from all corners of the country, the Americas and around the globe. This year, Aqua Girl is stepping up and out to deliver an even hotter, sexier, and exciting experience by making our new home at the National Hotel in Miami Beach from May 15th – 19th. www.aquagirl.org

DJ Peter Rauhofer diagnosed with brain tumor
Peter Rauhofer was rushed to the emergency room several weeks ago. After confirming that Peter had a seizure, further testing has revealed a large brain tumor, something that has gone undiagnosed for quite some time.
At this time, Peter's family is working closely with a team of talented Neurologists to determine the overall best treatment option. Please be assured that he is getting the absolute finest care possible, twenty-four hours a day. www.justcircuit.com

RIP Alexis Di Biasio 4/17/1953-4/15/2013
We are extremely sad to report the passing of a dear member of our community, Alexis Di Biasio.
Alexis was a wonderful person and always had a smile on his face and a story to tell. He will be greatly missed by all.
Alexis' Birthday Celebration:
Alexis' 60th Birthday Celebration will happen as planned on Wednesday, April 17th at Score from 5pm to 9pm. www.facebook.com

Busta Rhymes' Homophobic Freakout: Rapper Allegedly Calls Cheeseburger Baby Employees "Fag" and "Bitch"
When you run a late-night burger joint on South Beach, you can expect the occasional drunken-celebrity encounter. But Stephanie Vitori, owner of Cheeseburger Baby, tells New Times she's never experienced anything as bad as what Busta Rhymes pulled early this morning.
According to Vitori, Busta busted into the restaurant close to 6 a.m. and demanded to cut the line to get his food faster. When the restaurant refused, he threw a tantrum, calling one employee a "fag" and Vitori a "bitch," and later threatening to "come get [them]." www.miaminewtimes.com

'Jeffrey' by Paul Rudnick to be performed at Miami Beach Stage Door Theatre April 12th to May 5th
The Miami Beach Stage Door Theatre will present Jeffrey, at the Byron Carlyle Theater from April 12th to May 5th. Performances wil be held on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.
Jeffrey, a gay actor/waiter, has sworn off sex! In gay New York, sex is not something you can avoid. Don't miss this hilarious comedy at the Miami Beach Stage Door! Winner of the Obie Award, Outer Critics Circle Award and J. Gassner Award for Outstanding Play! "Wildly Funny" - New York Times.
Tickets are $38. 10% discount to Miami Beach residents. www.miamiherald.com

Michael Góngora running for Miami Beach mayor
Miami Beach Vice Mayor Michael Góngora announced his long-expected candidacy for mayor.
He made the announcement to a standing-room only crowd at a joint meeting of the Miami Beach Taxpayers Association and the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club, which met at the Shelborne Resort.
"If you don't think we can do better, vote for someone else," Góngora told the crowd.
He will face Commissioner Jerry Libbin, who filed paperwork to run for mayor in December. Libbin, who is president of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, faces term limits unless he runs for mayor. www.miamiherald.com

Genting's new vision calls for luxury hotel, condos
By the end of this year, the bayfront site where The Miami Herald now stands will be reduced to vacant land ready for redevelopment.
The demolition of the Herald headquarters is the first step in the Genting Group's plans to turn the site into a luxury hotel with up to 500 rooms and several hundred luxury condos edged by a pedestrian bay walk, said Bill Thompson, senior vice president of development for Resorts World Miami. www.miamiherald.com

Adam Lambert to headline Miami Beach Gay Pride
Glamberts rejoice! Adam Lambert will be the headline performer at the Fifth Annual Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade and Festival, Sunday, April 14th. He will perform for Pride-goers from the Main Stage in Lummus Park just off Ocean Drive between 11th and 12th Streets. His performance is scheduled to begin at 8pm.
A finalist on the eighth season of the immensely popular American Idol, Lambert's 2009 album For Your Entertainment debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200, Top 10 in numerous countries worldwide and featured the singles "For Your Entertainment," "Whataya Want from Me" and "If I Had You." The album has gone on to sell more than two million copies and nearly five million singles worldwide. www.miamibeachgaypride.com

Shake Shack coming to Washington Avenue?
We ear that a second Shake Shack will be coming to Miami Beach. This one is said to be coming to 1242 Washington Avenue in the venue that was formerly Felt.

A miniature golf course in South Beach?
Miniature golf has moved closer to a South Beach debut with approval by a city board for a course that wants to open next year. The Lincoln Road Putting Club plans to open on the roof of the Michigan Avenue building that houses the Lucky Strike bowling alley. miamiherald.com

Miami Beach Police Department reveals Pride Squad Car
At last night's Winter Party event, Spark!, the new Miami Beach Police Pride Squad Car greeting guests as they entered the Shelborne Hotel.
The Pride Squad Car was made possibly by the Miami Beach LGBT Business Enhancement Committee and the Miami Beach Police Department.

Nine of the best gay friendly hotels
From Amsterdam to Australia and South Beach to San José, we check out some of the world’s most exciting gay hotels.
From an urban resort in New York City with a 5,000 square feet spa, to a rooftop pool and bar in Barcelona or an unbeatable location between the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest in Australia, the world of gay and gay-friendly hotels and accommodation offers far more than you may realize. www.gaystarnews.com

2017 World Outgames to be in Miami Beach/Miami
The 2017 World OutGames will be held in Miami Beach/Miami, the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association (GLISA) announced Thursday.
"We did it!" local committee member Cindy Brown posted on her Facebook page from Antwerp, Belgium, where the 2013 games will be played July 31st-August 11th. www.miamiherald.com

South Beach Comedy Festival - April 17th-21st
South Beach Comedy Festival returns to Miami Beach Wednesday, April 17th to Sunday, April 21st, for another stellar comedy showcase featuring some of the world’s most favorite entertainers. Now in its eighth year, the South Beach Comedy Festival continues to grow and remains one of the premiere comedy festivals for top comedic talent and fans across the country. This year’s event features Bill Burr, Jamel Debouzze, Pete Holmes, Jim Jefferies, Seth Meyers, Tracy Morgan, Amy Schumer, Sarah Silverman and more. For tickets go to www.southbeachcomedyfestival.com

A look at Miami's movie theaters over the years
John Travolta set his boogie shoes strolling in Saturday Night Fever at Miami's The Omni 6. Angie Dickinson shared her shower with us as she Dressed to Kill at the Concord on Bird Road and 114th Avenue. The revelation, "Luke, I am your father," had you gripping your plush, gold seat at the Dadeland Twin movie theater as The Empire Strikes Back revealed its shocker.
Plus, who, among people of a certain age, didn’t stand in line to see Jaws at Coral Gables' Miracle Theatre in the summer of 1975? www.miamiherald.com

National Hotel nears end of long renovation
A panel of frosted glass puts everything in perspective for Delphine Dray as she oversees a years-long, multi-million dollar renovation project at the National Hotel on Miami Beach.
"Chez Claude and Simone," says the piece of glass stationed between the lobby and restaurant, a reference to Dray's parents, who bought the hotel in 2007.
"Every time I am exhausted and I pass that glass, I remember why," said Delphine Dray, who joined her father — a billionaire hotel developer and well-known art collector in France — to restore the hotel after the purchase.
After working with him for years, she is finishing the project alone. Claude Dray, 76, was killed in his Paris home in October of 2011, a shooting that remains under investigation. www.miamiherald.com

IKEA to build first store in Miami-Dade
The Swedish home retailer IKEA has announced it will be building its first location in Sweetwater.
The project is expected to break ground within the next two months and the new location is expected to open in the summer of 2014. This would be the first IKEA location in Miami-Dade. The 417,000 square-foot store will have 1,500 parking spots and will be located next to Dolphin Mall and west of Miami International Airport. www.wsvn.com

The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival - April 27th-May 6th
The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, a critically acclaimed event, is based in the world-renowned historic South Beach neighborhood with additional films screened at locations throughout Miami-Dade County.
The Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival is an internationally acclaimed event serving as a platform for numerous World Premiers, North American Premiers and East Coast Premiers. The Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival is the first MAJOR LGBT film festival to occur in the calendar year, setting the tone for the entire LGBT film festival season. www.mglff.com

Miami Beach Gay Pride - April 12th-14th
Come out and celebrate the most FABULOUS day of the year – an exciting, free, all-day event that features a fun and colorful parade followed by the family-friendly Pride Festival with food and refreshments plus performances by top recording artists.
Miami Beach Gay Pride brings together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, their friends, allies, and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBT community. The events include a Parade, Festival, Expo, and officially sanctioned Miami Beach Gay Pride events. www.miamibeachgaypride.com

Fourth Annual International Gay Polo Tournament - Saturday, April 13th
The highly-anticipated Fourth Annual International Gay Polo Tournament, one of the highlights of the winter equestrian season, is set for Saturday April 13, 2013 at Grand Champions Polo Club. This year the event is planning some enhancements that will create a new fresh feeling to the event.
Grand Champions Polo Club (On the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road in Wellington, FL) www.gaypolo.com

Michael Gongora is running for Miami Beach mayor
Miami Beach Vice Mayor Michael Góngora on Tuesday announced his long-expected candidacy for mayor.
He made the announcement to a standing-room only crowd at a joint meeting of the Miami Beach Taxpayers Association and the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club, which met at the Shelborne Resort.
"If you don't think we can do better, vote for someone else," Góngora told the crowd.
He will face Commissioner Jerry Libbin, who filed paperwork to run for mayor in December. Libbin, who is president of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, faces term limits unless he runs for mayor. http://www.miamiherald.com

Gloria and Emilio Estefan Broadway hopefuls
One of the most successful, popular and loved Latin couple in the music industry and business world have another endeavor to pursue. Gloria and Emilio Estefan hope to take their autobiography to Broadway as it was announced Tuesday.
The couple along with the Nederlander Organization and Bernie Yuman will have the task to create a musical based on the Estefan’s life and hope to achieve their goal of launching it as a Broadway show. www.examiner.com

Now Hiring: Poseidon Greek Restaurant
Poseidon Greek Restaurant 1131 Washington Avenue Miami Beach.
In the space that was formerly Vinyl & Kai, and Sushi Saigon prior, Poseidon Greek Restaurant has just taken over, will soon be opening and is "Now Hiring".
If interested, send your resume to PoseidonMiami@gmail.com

Doré South Beach (formerly David Bouley's Evolution)
Delivering "a feast for the senses" (including a very literal one for your sense of taste), Doré is a fancypants spot in the Ritz plating everything from Spanish tapas to local seafood and dry-rubbed steaks, in a massive space divided into a ballroom-ish dining room and a 30-person lounge that looks like the kind of place where Madonna would be grossed out watching Lips Manlis slurp oysters.
Dore South Beach 1669 Collins Avenur Miami Beach 305.695.8696 www.thrillist.com

Coming Soon: Polo Norte Cuban Restaurant
Polo Norte Cuban Restaurant will be coming to 1200 Washington Avenue Miami Beach. This was formerly Baja Fresh, Cheesme (for a hot minute), Hed Kandi Lounge, After Glow Restaurant, Mezzaluna.

MC Kitchen, PB Steak, Khong River House: New Hotspots Introduce Brunch
Brunch at a steak house? Well, sure. Where else are you going to get the best steak and eggs of your life? At PB Steak, you can choose your cut of steak and how you like your eggs- which would make any real cowboy quake in their boots with envy. Order a blue crab pudding for the table - trust us on this one. www.miaminewtimes.com

South Beach Without the Beach
The Freehand, a new designer hostel in South Beach, seems antithetical to its ZIP code. Bunk beds in shared rooms go for around $50 a night, the lobby is full of young visitors with laptops and the garden serves barbecued goat tacos on weekends. www.nytimes.com

DecoBike Is Officially Coming To Miami
Miami's getting DecoBike! Yesterday City of Miami commissioners officially approved a contract with the bicycle sharing service DecoBike, meaning that, yes finally, and officially, Miami will be getting a network of Decobike bicycle kiosks and bikes to rent by the hour just like Miami Beach. And the Miami network will (probably) be compatible with Miami Beach's! www.miami.curbed.com

Downtown Miami's New b2 Hotel
Starting March 1st - two weeks before Ultra Music Festival insanity begins across the street - you can reserve a room at the b2 Hotel on Biscayne Boulevard in Downtown Miami, the latest thing in the transformation of Miami's urban core. B-Hotels out of Weston, FL has taken the run down Riande Hotel Continental Downtown Miami Bayside WHATEVER (it seems the hotel went by many variations on that name) the Hotel Continental - and turned it into their first "b2" product. A b-mini if you will. www.miami.curbed.com

Winter Party Festival - March 6th-11th
Don't miss the hottest events at WPF'13 which will be taking place on the sands of Miami Beach March 6th to 11th 2013.
Winter Party Festival hosts some of the hottest parties in the world. They are working hard to make the 20th Edition of Winter Party bigger and better than ever. So, stay tuned or enter their Gold Pass Give Away and recieve updates on WPF'13, the Hottest Winter in the World. www.winterparty.com

"North Sea Texas" February 14th-17th in Miami Shores
Charming and gorgeously shot, this coming-of-age story set along the Belgian coastline in the early 1970s will remind many of the emotional maelstrom of growing up. Pim is bored of life in his provincial town where life smells of cold French fries, cheap cigarettes, and stale beer. He spends his time daydreaming of a more glamorous existence and pining for the handsome, older boy who lives next door. His mom Yvette spends more time in the pub than she does with her son, and is oblivious to his burgeoning sexuality.
O Cinema Miami Shores 9806 NE 2nd Ave Miami Shores 305.571.9970 www.o-cinema.org

Gay Israeli Drama "Yossi" Exclusive Miami Premiere Starts 2/15 at Gables Cinema
YOSSI is a smart and emotionally complex Israeli film from acclaimed director Etyan Fox, a follow-up to Fox's groundbreaking film from a decade ago, "Yossi & Jagger." One of Israel's most respected actors, Ohad Knoller, gives another stellar performance as Yossi, a closeted gay surgeon in Tel Aviv whose search for love takes him back to his days as an Israeli soldier.
Coral Gables Art Cinema 260 Aragon Avenue Coral Gables 786.385.9689 www.gablescinema.com

Awaiting trial for attempted murder, Josh Woodward signs deal to open fancy Asian on Lincoln
What does one do while out on bail awaiting a trial on charges of attempted murder of a fetus in LA? Open a restaurant on South Beach, that's what! According to well placed sources, Josh Woodward, former owner of 8 Oz. Burger, has just signed a deal to open a swanky Asian joint in the space formerly known as Kim's Chinese Restaurant. Woodward has a long road ahead of him in more ways than one. Says one restaurant insider, "That place is disgusting. They will have to gut it in order to make it up to code." That's the least of Woodward's concerns. Stay tuned. www.miami.com

Dylan's Candy Bar opens today on Lincoln Rd
Break out the sweet tooth - Dylan's Candy Bar opens today (Jan 23) on Lincoln Road. The two-story shop in the former Ghiradelli's space promises over 5,000 candies. Think candy by the pound, a five-pound chocolate bar, gummy everything and a jelly bean bonanza. An outdoor cafe and bar are coming next week, in the meantime let the sugar rush begin! www.miami.com

Galbut unveils plans to 440-unit apartment-retail project to West Avenue Corridor residents
The project that developer Russell Galbut wants to build to replace the crumbling South Shore Hospital building will house 440 rental apartments above 60,000-square feet of retail space with a swath of green space facing Fifth Street and underground parking for 1073 cars.
Known as 600 Alton Road, the sleek glass and silver project would include two main buildings between Fifth to Eighth streets and Alton Road and West Avenue. www.belleisleblog.com

DecoBikes could be expanding from Miami Beach into Miami
After accruing nearly 2 million rentals in less than two years of operation, Miami Beach’s DecoBike program is poised to expand to Miami and beyond. www.miamiherald.com

A Fight Over Historic Preservation Brews in Art Deco Country
When South Beach was little more than a forlorn chunk of beachfront property, preservationists clung to the idea that the faded, often derelict pastel buildings lining the streets were too precious to knock down.
Their campaign to preserve the area's fanciful Art Deco buildings ushered in one of the country's most successful urban revivals. Years later, South Beach is still a juggernaut.
Preservationists are now pushing hard to bolster historic preservation laws, a move that has ruffled wealthy property owners (and potential buyers) and stepped up pressure on local commissioners who are reluctant to wade into the politically precarious battle. www.nytimes.com

Winter Party Seeks Go-Go Dancers
If "Dancing With the Stars" isn't exactly your gig, volunteer your groove thing to be a go-go boy – or go-go girl – as visual entertainment for one of the signature dance events at this year’s 20th Edition Winter Party Festival, March 6th – 11th.
If you think you have what it takes, please send a PG-13 head shot and full body picture to the Entertainment Manager at WPFentertainment@aol.com. Please use the subject line: "WPF Entertainment Casting."
Dancers at Winter Party Festival are among the hundreds of volunteers who help make the six-day event a success. While there is no monetary compensation, free tickets to events are provided to those who volunteer their time.

The Crown Miami Beach sold for $100 Million
Let's hope not as yet another big name in hospitality jumps into the market with plans for a new 388 room hotel at 4041 Collins Avenue – once the Lord Tarleton Hotel and now the Crown Miami Beach.
According to The Wall Street Journal, a group led by Geolo Capital plunked down $100 million last month to buy the property from Atlantic Pacific Development. The plan is to convert the property into a Roosevelt Hotel – modeled after the famed Los Angeles hotel of the same name. www.miamibeachoutlook.com

Check Out The Pawson/Schrager Designed Marriott Edition
As the full-on overhaul of the postwar Seville Hotel into the Marriott Edition continues by legendary hotelier Ian Schrager, a major expansion will add a residential penthouse addition on top of the original tower as well as a new 18 story residential tower next to it. The two new structures will contain a total of 26 "move-in-ready" condos designed by starchitect John Pawson fully loaded with "everything one would need in a household from linens to dishes, towels to cookware, all pre-selected, unpacked and put away prior to arrival" according to the PR people. Seperate from the hotel and residential entrances, the Edition will have a "celebrity entrance," which we imagine to a tunnel under Collins Avenue to a bombshelter-like undisclosed location, but will probably just be a really hidden driveway. www.miami.curbed.com

The Meatball Joint Closes
The Meatball Joint, Bernie Matz's third South Beach restaurant, closed yesterday evening with a meatball and craft beer party, thrown by chef/owner Bernie Matz.
The restaurant, which opened spring of 2012, was located on Alton Road, adjacent to chef Matz's Bernie's L.A. Cafe. www.miaminewtimes.com

Coming soon: Dolce Italian at the Gale South Beach
Meet Dolce Italian, an airy loft of red wine and red sauce from the pasta-making legends behind Scarpetta, opening next Friday in the Gale South Beach.
Dolce Italian at the Gale South Beach
1690 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 786.975.2590 www.urbandaddy.com

Downtown Miami's b2 hotel opening in March
The new b2 hotel in downtown Miami — a value brand from Weston-based B Hotels & Resorts — is accepting reservations for stays starting March 1.
Located at 146 Biscayne Blvd., the former Continental Bayside Hotel has undergone extensive renovations.
The 243-room hotel will also include a casual restaurant called Biscayne Tavern from restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow of China Grill Management. www.miamiherald.com

George's Kitchen & The Loft comes to Midtown
Just opened by the 305's famed two-first-named Frenchman George-Eric Farge, George's Kitchen is a swank two-story Midtown bistro plating contemporary Parisian fare (no, not the place with the Parisian Gravitron), and doubling as a late-night lounge. www.thrillist.com

Catch Miami - A Sexy SoBe Seafood Tower
Now open, Catch Miami, a scene-making seafood palace that’s helmed by a Top Chef champion and cracking all forms of insanely fresh shellfish, opening tomorrow in The James Royal Palm Hotel.
Catch Miami at The James Royal Palm 1545 Collins Avenuce Miami Beach www.urbandaddy.com

The Great 42-43 Star Island Drive Ganja-Fueled Feud
The pair of properties at 42 and 43 Star Island Drive - an historic house threatened for demolition by Real Housewife of Miami Lisa Hochstein and its neighbor, the former Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church compound now on the market by owner by Rosie O'Donnell - are no strangers to drama, or drugs, or even neighborhood warfare, as filmmakers rakontur documented in their documentary of Miami's pot history "Square Grouper." In the 1970s, when the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church set up their "American Embassy" at 43 Star, they fell in with their neighbors at 42 Star to hilarious results. Picture giant clouds of marijuana smoke wafting over Star Island's manicured lawns, a flaming bucket of tar, and an airboat. www.miami.curbed.com

$100 Million Buys More Than You Think
For $100 million, the buyers of Casa Casuarina, the mansion that once belonged to the fashion icon Gianni Versace, will get a 23,000-square-foot spread in Miami Beach with a 54-foot-long pool lined with mosaic tiles and 24-karat gold. They will acquire millions of dollars’ worth of Italian furniture — one room’s windows alone are framed by $250,000 in silk-and-velvet drapes, the current owner said.
The mansion also comes with a boutique hotel with 10 suites, British-trained butlers and a restaurant that serves cocktails in Versace martini glasses. www.nytimes.com

New York real estate investor expands Lincoln Road presence
A New York real estate investment fund continued to expand its presence on Lincoln Road last month, purchasing three storefronts on the prime retail street.
Thor Equities said Thursday that it closed last month on the purchase of 663, 665, and 667 Lincoln Road. The company declined to reveal the purchase price for the 5,000 square feet of retail space. Tenants include Pizza Rustica, So Good Collections and 16 Handles (665).
Thor sees opportunity to attract fashion retailers looking to enter the market. Lincoln has recently seen an influx of international retailers like H&M, Forever 21 and Lacoste. www.miamiherald.com

Pubbelly Steaks opens Thursday in Sunset Harbour
Prepare to meet PB Steak, South Beach’s newest primehouse and the second offering from the Pubbelly crew since the start of 2013, opening Thursday.
PB Steak 1787 Purdy Avenue Miami Beach 305.695.9550 www.urbandaddy.com

Y-Love at Guava Rugelach Lounge - Saturday, February 16th 8pm
Multi-Lingual-Slinging Hip Hop Artist Y-Love Brings Culturally Diverse Blend Of Rhyme To Miami.
Y-Love is a Los Angeles-based African-American Jewish gay hip-hop artist. An Orthodox Jew, Y-Love was formerly Hassidic. He rhymes in a mixture of English, Hebrew, Yiddish, Arabic, Latin and Aramaic, often covering social, political and religious themes.
Guava Rugelach Lounge 137 NE 19th Street Miami, FL 33132 www.brownpapertickets.com

WPF Lucky Strike Bowling with DJ Sayho - Thursday, January 10th 07:30pm
Join DJ Sayho at Lucky Strike on Miami Beach January 10th from 7:30-10:30pm for a night of bowling, music, friends and drinks. You and your friends are invited to this incredible pre-Winter Party kickoff event.
Enjoy 3 hours of bowling, shoe rental, 1 complimentary drink, DJ Sayho and a Kiehl's gift basket raffle. All for only $20. www.winterparty.com

Miami Beach may hire Spanish company to study possibility of new transit system
Nearly a decade after a project to connect Miami Beach and the mainland by light-rail fizzled, city leaders may hire a state-owned Spanish railway company to study a new option to link the tourist hub of South Beach to Miami.
Miami Beach public works staff met this month a second time with representatives of FEVE, which runs a 777-mile rail system in Spain, to talk about an electric streetcar free of overhead wires that the company runs in the historic city of Seville. www.miamiherald.com

Struggling North Bay Village farmers market getting a boost
Officials hoped the new North Bay Village farmers market would enhance the community and put the village on the map as an alluring place for future residents and businesses.
But after three market days, patronage dwindled and some of the 20 vendors stopped showing up. www.miamiherald.com

Gap signs lease for temporary space off Lincoln Road
As Gap builds its new two level store on Lincoln Road, they'll be moving into a temporary store just off Lincoln at 1669 Meridian Avenue and Lincoln Lane North, the same space where the temporary H&M store was this summer. Meanwhile construction on Gap's brand spanking new home at 1001 Lincoln should begin in early 2013. www.therealdeal.com

The Miami Worldcenter Project Keeps Getting Bigger
According to exMiami, the owners of the planned Miami Worldcenter megaproject have picked up two more pieces of land in their quest for world domination. Already having caused a big brouhaha when they snagged Grand Central Park, they are now said to be the purchasers of the recently sold Grand Central Nightclub across the street and the former Camillus House site at 726 NE 1st Avenue. And the Worldcenter real estate shopping spree shows no signs of stopping. We can only speculate at how big this project will eventually be. www.miami.curbed.com

After sale, Raleigh hotel brand to grow
The Raleigh hotel, an Art Deco gem famous for its curlicue framed pool, sold this week for $55 million to new owners who plan to turn the hotel into a national brand.
But before Raleigh siblings pop up in places such as Brooklyn, Chicago and Hollywood, Calif., new owners David Edelstein and Sam Nazarian will pour millions into the historic 105-room property at 1775 Collins Ave. on Miami Beach.
They certainly have experience in that area. Edelstein, principal of New York City’s Tristar Capital, developed and owns W South Beach, about four blocks north of the Raleigh. www.miamiherald.com

Stephen Chalbaud: 9/18/63 - 12/12/12
We are sad to learn of the passing of a member of our community. Julio "Stephen" Chalbaud, resident of Miami Beach, left this worldly life for eternal peace on December 12th, 2012 at the young age of 49. He is now our guardian angel and will be deeply missed by friends, family, colleagues and loved ones.
Stephen was born on September 18th, 1963 in San Francisco. He moved to Venezuela as a young child and then to Dallas where he spent his formative years. His real home and heart, however, was in Miami Beach. A beautiful man inside and out, Stephen left a successful career in the modeling world to dedicate his life towards helping those less fortunate. He had a heart of gold and showered everyone around him with love, kindness, affection, encouragement, understanding, compassion and support.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider making a donation in Stephen's memory to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, an organization where he was considered a star volunteer. www.Facebook.com

Once Decrepit Miami Hotel Returns as Low-Income Housing
A number of historical Miami hotels have been converted into residences in recent years, but none serves a more important purpose than the Royalton. Built in 1923 at 121 SE 1st Street, the Neo-Classical Revival Royalton Hotel was a swank destination. It was rumored to be a speakeasy during Prohibition, and Al Capone was said to have played cards on the top floor. But by the 1990s, the Royalton was a dive, and the seven-story building's roof leaked all the way to the ground floor. Though it was one of the last 1920s hotels in the area, demolition seemed the logical next step when Carlisle Development bought the building for $3.5 million in 2004. www.curbed.com

Plans for proposed SoBe Park
See the plans for the proposed SoBe Park at 6th Street and Alton Road. http://www.local10.com/blob/view/-/12560112/data/3/-/fn13no/-/Skidmore--Owings--and-Merrill-presentation.pdf

Sale of Lincoln Road properties sets record
In a sign of continued rising prices for property on Lincoln Road, Terranova Corporation and Acadia Realty Trust paid $139 million in cash Tuesday for a three-building portfolio of retail storefronts.
The deal is being billed as the largest retail acquisition in Florida during 2012 in terms of dollar value. The next closest was Vornado Realty Trust’s $132 million purchase in July of the 1100 Lincoln Road property that is home to Regal Cinemas and Banana Republic.
The Terranova acquisition includes the properties at 801, 826 and 719 Lincoln Road, currently home to tenants including Score, Tiramesu, Spris, Fossil, Kiehl’s, Steve Madden and the new Dylan’s Candy Bar opening next month. At $2,300 per square foot, the purchase represents one of the highest prices paid for space on Lincoln Road. www.miamiherald.com

Venetian, West Avenue homeowners worry about proposed 17th Street hotel
Homeowners along the Venetian Causeway and West Avenue fear a proposal to build a hotel off 17th Street near Alton Road will create congestion and parking problems.
The hotel, proposed to be a 116-room Marriott Residence Inn, would be built on a pie-shaped tract of land between 17th Street and Dade Boulevard west of Alton Road. Picture it behind Boston Market. Designed by Kobi Karp, it would be five floors high. www.belleisleblog.com

G-Star Raw set to open on Lincoln Road
The clothing brand G-Star Raw is just days away from opening its first South Beach location at 509 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.
This new addition adds to the retail invasion of Lincoln Road along with H&M, Forever 21, Superdry, Armani Jeans.
This is their second store in South Florida. They also have a retail store in Aventura Mall.

Pridelines 4 Peace - Wednesday, December 19th
On Wednesday, December 19th, Pridelines Youth Services will present an artistic collaboration between our local LGBTQ youth and photographer Dale Stine dedicated to spreading the message of world peace to the local community. Cocktails and hor d'oeuvres will be served as guests view the portraits series, listen to music and enjoy performance art pieces by local artists.
This event is open to anyone of legal drinking age with a minimum donation of $25 at the door. The theme for each portrait that will be auc tioned off is based on each youth's 'Pledge for Peace,' their own personal pledge to bring peace into the local community. www.Facebook.com

Art Basel reports steady (and record) attendance
Art Basel Miami Beach said Monday its 2012 visitor tally matched last year's record of 50,000 people.
The five-day art fair at the Miami Beach Convention Center anchors a week of roughly two dozen art shows, and the stretch has transformed early December into one of the busiest weeks for hotels. Basel rents space to 250 galleries from 31 countries, making it the largest contemporary art fair in the United States. www.miamiherald.com

Khong River House opens in former Miss Yip / Buck15
South Beach gets a (long overdue) taste of authentic Thai this month as John Kunkel & the 50 Eggs Group (Yardbird) open Khong River House in the former Miss Yip's space on Lincoln Rd. Miami.com was granted a first look at the clean, crisp space. The restaurant's aesthetic draws from the rural farm houses along the Mekong River. www.miami.com

Setai Grill, The Setai stalwart switches to French steakhouse
The Setai's upscale joint shifted from all-Asian everything to French steakhouse serving a 32oz bone-in tomahawk, dry-aged ribeyes, and Blanquette de Veau, which sounds like what Michael Jackson would've named his son if he was from Paris, but is actually braised veal. www.thrillist.com

Forever 21's New, Super-Sized Store on Lincoln Road Now Open
Forever 21, God's gift to chic chicks on a budget, is opening an utterly enormous (39,000 square feet, to be exact), two-story outpost on Lincoln Road this Friday, according to an employee we spoke to at the store on Wednesday night. (As if we could pack anything else into this week.
The store has a cheap-o, tweenybopper rep, sure. But for those of us forced to live on a meager budget, Forever 21 is like a gift from the fashion gods. Six-dollar necklaces, $12 tops and $27 jackets make life worth living as a poor chick in this image-conscious city. www.miaminewtimes.com

Two Floors Of Prada Open Today In The Design District
Adding to the mix of too-expensive-for-you-and-me shopping destinations in the Design District that had their act together enough to open for Art Basel, is Prada, which opens today. The permanent store (a lot of the new Design District stores are temporary while they build their permanent locations, so this is important) was designed by Roberto Baciocchi and is a total of 360 square meters (how European!) spread over two floors. Here's what the press release says about Baciocchi's design. www.miami.curbed.com

Serafina Restaurant opens at the Dream South Beach
A year ago, Miami let New York have Mike Bibby. Now, in return, they've given us something even better than a slow, aging point guard who's good for a robust 2.6ppg: Serafina, an NYC Boot-food stalwart opening today in the former Tudor House digs with street art-esque murals including massive wings and a giant "We Will Rock U", as even Queen could likely beat Miami in football these days. www.thrillist.com

Miami Beach one of two finalists for 2017 World OutGames; event could attract tens of thousands
Miami Beach on Tuesday was named one of two finalists for the 2017 World OutGames, an international event that could attract tens of thousands of LGBT visitors to South Florida on Memorial Day Weekend. www.miamiherald.com

In Miami, culture begets more culture
From YoungArts and Museum Park, to the Arsht Center and — of course — Art Basel, Miami continues to mature as a center for culture and creativity. www.miamiherald.com

Orchid, discount tickets on Friday, December 28th
This is a special offer for discount tickets to see, Orchid, a unique theatrical installation. Orchidis a dream world of song, dance, glamour, burlesque, aerial acrobatics and variety arts set inside a seductively surreal Pleasure Garden in the design district. Use promo code BEAT for discounted ticket prices. It will be an amazing night of cocktails, over the top production and entertainment!
Normal Price: $79 With the code BEAT: $49 dollars. (Includes Orchid show plus a complimentary cocktail). 6pm-7:30 pm - Cocktails and dinner available. 7:30 pm show. The Pleasure Garden 299 NE 38th Street Miami, FL 33137 www.orchidtheshow.com

Opens Tonight! Chorus Holiday Show - December 14th, 15th, 16th
The Miami Gay Men's Chorus has just announced the dates for their annual holiday show, "A Very Merry Apocalypse to You". Performances will be held at the Colony Theatre on Friday December 14th at 8pm, Saturday December 15th at 8pm, and Sunday December 16th at 3pm.
Colony Theatre 1040 Lincoln Road Miami Beach.
Tickets cost $25, $30 or $30. For tickets and more information, go to www.miamigaychorus.org

HoliGay Celebration & Toy Drive - Thursday, December 13th 6pm to 9pm
"Don we now our gay apparel" and get to the LGBT Visitor Center for the 3rd annual "HoliGay Celebration & Toy Drive," Thursday, December 13, from 6pm to 9pm. Admission is free with the donation of an unwrapped toy which will then be distributed to local families in need through the Miami Beach Police Department's Children's Holiday Relief Fund.
Complimentary cocktails and a great food buffet will be served against the backdrop of DJ Sayho playing holiday and contemporary favorites.
To RSVP for the HoliGay Celebration & Toy Drive, email karen@gogaymiami.com, or call (305) 397-8914. The LGBT Visitor Center is located at 1130 Washington Avenue, First Floor North, Miami Beach.

Casablanca Comes to Downtown
Say hello to Casablanca on the Bay, an airy seafood-and-vino spot with waterfront views and tremendous first-date potential, now open in Downtown.
So yes, you're finally getting a sequel to Casablanca. The Miami River restaurant. Not the Bogart movie. This new location: sprawling. Sleek. Equipped with a sunset-observing patio, comfy rattan chairs and the occasional neighboring yacht party.
Casablanca on the Bay, now open, 1717 N Bayshore Drive Miami 305.764.1213 www.urbandaddy.com

Madonna has Thanksgiving in Miami
Under the cover of darkness and getting an early start to Thanksgiving, Madonna hosted an intimate private party Wednesday at FDR at the Delano. Arriving just after 11 p.m., the iconic pop singer watched as her dancers and crew were breakdancing in the DJ booth with Madonna’s favorite spin doctor, Tracy Young. After uncharacteristically standing to the side for a while, Madonna finally started dancing next to her friends and family. Before making her exit at 3 a.m., she made her way around the room, talking with all of her guests. www.miamiherald.com

Man charged in murder of transgender South Beach prostitute
A suspect in the unsolved murder of a Miami prostitute has been charged with brutally stabbing a transgender hooker to death in her South Beach apartment in March.
Miguel Pavon, previously questioned in the June 2011 bludgeoning of a Miami woman, stabbed Rene "Rosita" Hidalgo Hernandez 23 times in the neck, back, chest and hand in March after sex, according to an arrest warrant. Pavon, 31, has been charged with first degree murder and is being held without bond in the Metro West Detention Center. www.miamiherald.com

MGLFF's Glow Miami presents "Cloudburst" - Wednesday, December 5th 7pm
The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival continues its monthly movie series "GLOW Miami" by presenting "Cloudburst", directed by Tom Fitzgerald.
HBO Latin America is proud to be the sole presenting sponsor of the Glow series. The MGLFF “GLOW Miami” series consists of a monthly program filled with feature films and documentaries produced with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in mind. The films chosen are produced and directed by prominent independent filmmakers from across the globe.
7pm Cocktail Reception. 8pm Screening.
O Cinema – Miami Shores 9806 NE 2nd Avenue Miami Shores. www.flglff.ticketmob.com

Oak Tavern set to open in Design District
Smokey the Bear would just have a PSA field day with Oak Tavern, David Bracha's (River Seafood & Oyster Bar) gigantic woodsy eat & drinkery in the Design District featuring a dining room lined with massive bark lamps, and a name stemming from the giant palm oak tree they transplanted from the wild and anchors the outdoor patio. www.thrillist.com

Gale South Beach and Regent Hotel to Open Next Month
Opening on December 4 after a $35 million restoration, Gale South Beach and Regent Hotel—from hotel group Menin Hotels—will add more sizzle to the already hip South Beach.
Located at Collins Avenue and 17th Street with stylish galleries, boutiques, and restaurants as neighbors, the 87-room hotel with vintage flair was built in 1941 (as Gale South & Regent Hotel) by Miami architect L. Murray Dixon who adopted a tropical Art Deco design. Its Italian Riviera-influenced look is evident from the outside (think a creamy-white exterior and a black-and-white striped awning) as well as the minute you walk through the doors and spot a monochromatic rhapsody of gold hues in the lobby. www.fodors.com

American Express Shop Small Business Saturday November 24th
For the third year in a row, American Express is offering Cardmembers the opportunity to get a $25 statement credit when they enroll their eligible American Express® card and then use it to spend $25 or more in a single in-store transaction at a qualifying small business location on Small Business Saturday. The number of enrollments is limited. Enrollment opens at 12:00AM MST on November 18th and continues until 11:59PM MST on November 24th unless the enrollment limit is reached sooner.
For more information, go to www.ShopSmall.com

Ricky Martin Sells His Golden Beach Castle For $12.8 Million
Ricky Martin is no longer livin' la vida loca in an oceanfront mansion on Golden Beach." Really? Aren't you clever. The hunka-hunka-hottie latino who somewhat recently outed himself as a proud gay man with his autobiography 'Me' (some say to revive his career, but it didn't work) has just sold his oceanfront estate in Golden Beach for $12.8 million, substantially lower than the $17.5 million he wanted for it. The 9,882 square foot spread on Ocean Boulevard (that's A1A, or what they call Collins Avenue in those parts) came with 7 bedrooms and 5 baths. www.miami.curbed.com

The Miami skyline gets brighter as Intercontinental gets $30,000,000 renovation
Crank up the Gloria, and turn the beat around, because this vid of the downtown Intercontinental Hotel's new LED facade doesn't have any sound, but boom-chica-bow-wow, can that tower shake its booty. The LEDs turn into an Intercontinental-sized girl gyrating her hips, raising her arms above her head and gesticulating all over the place. Where's the stripper pole when the giant LED girl needs it? Sure, a lot of papis might like to stay there, but that's not so classy for such a classy old dame as you Intercon, not so classy. www.miami.curbed.com
SEE VIDEO

Joe Allen / Georgia's Union to become PB Steak
The people responsible for the porkcentric Pubbelly are branching out to include beef in their empire as they open their latest, PB Steak, in early 2013 in the space formerly known as Joe Allen (and very briefly as Georgia's Union). www.miami.com

The World Music Awards will be moving to Miami on December 20th
The Marlins Stadium will host this spectacular Musical Olympics in its 22nd year. The world’s best-selling recording-artists will perform before a live audience of 40,000 music fans and the world’s media. Never before has an Awards show been produced in a Stadium and this will be the biggest live audience of all Award shows to date! Over a billion music fans will be able to see their favourite artists performing live. The show will be broadcast in mondovision on network television in 180 countries around the world. For 48hrs non stop fans will be able to follow their favourite artists live on the internet in Miami at rehearsals, backstage and at the Awards show. www.worldmusicawards.com

CBS4 reporter Gio Benitez hired by ABC News
Miami native Gio Benitez, a CBS4 reporter who began at the station as a 17-year-old Coral Park High School intern, has been hired as a correspondent by ABC News.
"So grateful for this extraordinary opportunity at ABC News!" Benitez, 27, posted Friday afternoon on Facebook. www.miamiherald.com

Retail revs up on South Beach’s Lincoln Road
In many ways, Miami Beach's Lincoln Road has come full circle.
In its original heyday during the 1940s and '50s, Lincoln Road was known as the Fifth Avenue of the South with an impressive collection of retailers that included Saks Fifth Avenue, Harry Winston jewelers and Bonwit Teller.
Once again, Lincoln Road is back on top, gaining recognition from retailers and investors as one of the great shopping streets in America. Only this time, the new anchor tenants include this week's opening of H&M, followed later this month by Forever 21. www.miamiherald.com

First stores opening at Sunset Harbour parking garage; construction inside old Joe Allen space
The first stores are open at the new parking garage at Sunset Harbour — and construction workers at recently closed Georgia’s Union restaurant, in the old Joe Allen space. www.belleisleblog.com

POSTPONED! AquaMen Pool Party
Please be advised that the AquaMen Pool Party will NOT take place on Saturday.
The event was postponned due to permits and noise issues.




Buddha Sushi Bar floats into ex Polar Bar 938 Lincoln Road
Remember the sushi joint that literally floated you boatloads of rolls on little boats that are still much bigger than your boat, because you don't own a boat? Well, owner Michael Asalie's already opened another on Lincoln Road, which's boating out the surely not copyright-infringing Big Mac (spicy tuna, snow crab, avo, tobiko, sweet sauce) plus a slew of Japanese beers that'll be $3 every day from 5pm-7pm. www.thrillist.com

The Deauville Could Get A New Tower, Rooftop Additions
The owners of the Deauville Beach Resort, that postwar resort best known as the place where the Beatles stayed (and appeared on the Ed Sullivan show) when they came to Miami Beach on their first U.S. visit, are seeking approval from the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board at their Nov. 20th meeting for a new 21 story tower to rise above the hotel's current ballroom and pool area, and other large additions. The hotel was originally designed by iconic Miami Beach architect Melvin Grossman, in 1957. A residential tower had been approved for the Deauville during the boom, and technically this new scheme - which remains a mystery - is a modification to that earlier plan (above), designed by Kobi Karp. www.miami.curbed.com

ORCHID at the Pleasure Garden: Just a Little Dinner and Acrobatics in a Garden
Behold: ORCHID at the Pleasure Garden, a pop-up pleasure garden and restaurant teeming with sultry dancers, acrobats and a burlesquing broad or two, selling tickets now for shows starting November 8 in the Design District.
Think of Moulin Rouge. Think of Cirque du Soleil. Because that's the kind of crazy and sexy you're in for here. Plus, plates whipped up by one Michelle Bernstein. www.urbandaddy.com

World AIDS Day Candlelight Service -Saturday, December 1st 8pm
The Miami Beach Community Church, located at 500 Lincol Road, invites you to a World AIDS Day Candlelight Service on Saturday, December 1st at 8pm. Join them in the Courtyard of Miami Beach Community Church as they remember those suffering with HIV/AIDS, those who have died and the victories won. SEE FLYER

"My American Idols" with Kimberley Locke - December 7th & 8th 8pm
Kimberley Locke rose to fame as a finalist on Season 2 of American Idol and followed that up with a string of Hits on the Pop and Dance singles charts. Now she is exploring the Great American Songbook and singing the music of her Idols. From timeless chanteuses (Etta James, Judy Garland and Dinah Washington) to contemporary divas (Whitney Houston, Regina Belle and Gladys Knight), Ms. Locke takes us on a musical journey through the voices that made her love music.
At the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center Friday, December 7th at 8pm and Saturday, Decemebr 8th at 8pm. www.aventuracenter.org

Avenue D: Turning a Department Store into a Jazz Club
Please welcome to the stage Avenue D, a new concert venue from the Kork crew for improv jazz and straight whiskey, now open inside the old Burdines space Downtown.
Famous old department store turned massive blue-walled cavern of Harlem Renaissance–era jazz. Not the first time you've heard that story. Oh... no, wait, it's the first time you've heard that story. www.urbandaddy.com

As Miami-Dade hotel market booms, more players want in
A birds-eye view atop a Collins Avenue construction site shows the past, present and future of South Beach, set to a symphony of construction noise.
The trailblazing Delano, which revitalized the destination in 1995 and is now being marketed for sale after an $11 million renovation, is flanked by the historic National Hotel, in the midst of a major restoration, and the Philippe Starck-designed SLS, formerly the Ritz Plaza, which opened in June after eight years and about $85 million. www.miamiherald.com

A Racked Miami Guide To The New Lincoln Road, In Map Form!
There's been lots of new construction on Lincoln Road lately which will ultimately result in a series of new and dramatic retail spaces, as well as bring to life the alley to the north, known as Lincoln Lane North, as a secondary retail corridor. Coming right up, the new H&M extravaganza-of-a-store will be opening November 8th in the historic Lincoln Theatre building, but that's only the beginning. Check out what else is in store for Lincoln Road, on the Racked Miami Guide To The New Lincoln Road. www.miami.curbed.com

Want To Buy A Wacky Art Deco Hotel In South Beach?
Want to buy a whole hotel in the thick of South Beach? Can't afford the W Fort Lauderdale? The Berkeley Shore at 1610 Collins Avenue, which has the same multicolored, funky, look it probably did in the 80s and 90s when South Beach was still a technicolor, neon induced wonderland, has just hit the market. The 64 room hotel goes for $13,780,000 and includes an open-plan lobby with a giant column in the middle that merges with a flower-ish roof paint job, a snack bar, a front desk, a large front porch, a tiled wheelchair ramp, and a nice sized front yard. Apparently this listing website isn't up yet, but it's with Majestic Properties, so go and bug them for it. www.miami.curbed.com

Coming soon: Florida Cookery at The James Royal Palm
Feast your eyes on Florida Cookery, Kris Wessel's new paean to old-school Floridian cooking (and the occasional frenched frog leg), opening November 1 at the James Royal Palm.
So, Kris Wessel's gam-gam. Back in the day, she used a book called Florida Cookery to whip up all kinds of indigenous fare. Stuff like mango pie and coconut punch. Which we assume was spiked. www.urbandaddy.com

SAVE Dade's 'Hellrotika' offers adult Halloween fun in Miami
Zeus, Jupiter, Hades, Athena...in fact, all kinds of Greek gods and goddesses, along with plenty of ghoulish and sexy characters as well, will descend upon Miami's Design District this Saturday night for "Hellrotika: Odyssey of the Gods," SAVE Dade's 18th annual Halloween fundraiser.
"Last year, 'Hellrotika, Seed of the Beast' brought out more than 1,200 in hurricane-like weather, so this we are expecting more than 2,000 people to attend," said C.J. Ortuno, SAVE Dade's executive director. "We hope this year's party will continue in the great history of this fundraiser and help SAVE Dade reach new audiences this election year," he added. www.examiner.com

H&M opening in Miami Beach on November 8th
Now that South Florida's H&M fans have had the appetizer, it's time for the main course.
H&M's Miami Beach store in the renovated historic Lincoln Theatre on Lincoln Road will open its doors to the public at noon on Thursday, Nov. 8. That opening will be closely followed by the arrival of another store at the Aventura Mall before the end of the year. www.miamiherald.com

Top chef Jonathan Eismann's bitter fall: a Miami story
If chef Jonathan Eismann's life were a roller coaster, it just took a stomach-plunging dip and sits teetering on the edge of the tracks.
Once the golden boy of Lincoln Road and a pioneer in Miami's food culture, Eismann saw his professional career take a dive from that peak in late 2010 as his ambitious plan to become the restaurant king of Miami's Design District ended in financial disaster. He was forced to close all four restaurants, leaving the chef in debt to suppliers and facing foreclosure proceedings on his multi-million-dollar Miami Beach home. www.miamiherald.com

Now Open Jelsomino, now open The Hoxton, coming soon Florida Cookery, coming soon Catch, coming soon SL Nightclub
You can start showing of your best Michael Jackson moves at the new crazy karaoke spot Jelsomino.
Chef Kris Wessel has temporarily closed Red Light Little River in preparation for opening Florida Cookery at The James Royal Palm in South Beach November 1. The new hotel will also have a Catch opening by Top Chef season three winner Hung Huynh and a Miami outpost of SL Nightclub opening later this year. www.miami.curbed.com

White Party Week - November 19th-26th
It all begins Thanksgiving Week. As Miami recovers from not one but two Madonna MDNA concerts, White Party Week tradition continues to its 28th year fighting HIV and AIDS. The White Party "crown jewel" event explodes on Saturday, November 24th inside the Soho Studio at the Wynwood convention center in Miami’s transformational design district with 2,500 men dressed -- partially at least -- in white dancing to DJ Danny Verde. www.whiteparty.org

Hotel wars: After attempted ouster, Marriott sues Eden Roc owner
The owner of the Eden Roc in Miami Beach tried to force its management company out over the weekend, but the effort failed after police arrived. www.miamiherald.com

Johnny's Miami has closed
Johnny's Miami, located at 62 NE 14th Street Miami, has closed. Their Fort Lauderdale location remains open at 1116 W. Broward Boulevard.

Renovation of Surf Club, where Winston Churchill painted, goes to Surfside Commission Monday
The venerable Surf Club, among the last of the grand jazz-age Miami-area private clubs, is on the verge of a transformation that would restore the faded luster of its historic Mediterranean Revival building and crown it with a trio of crystalline hotel and condo towers.
The fast-moving plan, which goes to a vote at the Surfside Commission on Monday, comes months after the club — afflicted by shrinking membership and growing maintenance costs — agreed to a $116 million buyout by the Koc Group, a Turkish conglomerate. www.miamiherald.com

Abuela's Cuban Kitchen now open in former David's Cafe
If you are missing your Cuban food fix while on Lincoln Road, you are in luck. After ninteen years David's Cafe closed on July 31st. However, Abuela's Cuban Kitchen has taken over the restaurant located at 1654 Meridian Avenue Miami Beach.
They officially opened on Saturday, October 13th. www.facebook.com/AbuelasCubanKitchen

O Cinema's New Miami Shores Location, MTCfilm, Opens October 13th
Miami's blossoming indie film scene is gaining a newbie next week: Wynwood's O Cinema is partnering with the Miami Theater Center in Miami Shores to begin screening films on October 13.
With MTCfilm, as it will be known, O Cinema will be in charge of about 300 screenings during the next screening season. While the Wynwood branch will remain focused on documentaries, edgy late-night programming and art films, O's slate at MTCfilm will be filled with narrative films, foreign cinema, family-friendly movies, simulcast operas and ballets, and the occasional classic movie. www.huffingtonpost.com

Saxony Hotel update progresses
Construction progresses on the Faena Saxony, the fantasmagoria that Alan Faena is molding out of the historic Saxony Hotel on the beach. The latest design revisions by Roman and Williams have been approved by the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board. Faena is working on a deal with the city that will allow them to construct a tunnel under Collins Avenue, linking the two halves of the property. Oh, and it looks like Faena is paying to replace the aging boardwalk with an at-grade beach walk too.
The Saxony Hotel is located at 3201 Collins Avenue Miami Beach. It was built and owned by George D. Sax. Designed by architect Roy F. France, it was completed in 1948 as one of the first luxury resorts on Miami Beach. Following the success of the Saxony, other hotels emerged on the opulent beach front. www.miami.curbed.com

James Royal Palm to open next week in South Beach
Classical music can be heard when the jackhammers take a break at 1545 Collins Avenue. The long driveway, blocked off for construction, is concealed in part by a colorful banner-as-art-installation.
The old Royal Palm hotel is coming back to life next week on Miami Beach with a new brand affiliation, $42 million in renovations and a heavy emphasis on local arts organizations. www.miamiherald.com

Miami Beach firefighter, Miami-Dade cop guilty in sham cocaine trafficking case
A federal jury on Wednesday found a Miami Beach firefighter, a Miami-Dade police officer and an accomplice guilty of transporting shipments of fake cocaine on behalf of a client they believed was a South Beach club manager — but in fact was an undercover FBI agent.
Firefighter Henry L. Bryant, Officer Daniel Mack, and co-defendant Octavius McLendon, a friend of Bryant's, were each found guilty of conspiring to possess and distribute multiple kilos of cocaine and using a firearm to protect the shipments. Together, the convictions carry a minimum sentence of 15 years and could lead to life in prison. www.miamiherald.com

Grand Central Park Goes For $35 Million to Miami World Center
Well, previously published rumors of Grand Central Park's demise have proven true, folks. The old Miami Arena site, currently being used as a park that was meant to catalyze change in the surrounding neighborhood, has been sold for a whopping $35 million to a major stakeholder in Miami World Center: Art Falcone of the Falcone Group. www.miami.curbed.com

Kardashians dissed by DiLido, dashed by North Bay Road homeowners
You may see Kim and Kourtney Kardashian playing on Miami Beach in the new season of their reality show, but they won't be living here.
Their efforts to get homeowner approval in three Beach neighborhoods were dashed (sorry!) — on the Sunset Islands, DiLido Island and on North Bay Road, according to Raul Gonzalez of Miami Beach's Office of Film and Print. www.belleisleblog.com

Superdry set to open at 646-650 Lincoln Road, Now hiring
The U.K.-based apparel brand, which operates 110 stores worldwide, granted a license in 2009 to SDUSA, a division of Sunrise Brands LLC. Since that time, it has opened six stores in the States: a flagship in New York’s NoHo area, as well as units in Paramus, N.J., Las Vegas, Beverly Hills, and San Francisco.
There are currently hiring for all positions

Please Vote! This is a very important election!
The ballot this year is quite extensive so I'm hoping you take the time to familiarize yourself with it. To view and download a sample ballot, click on the link http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/regist-status.asp
If you want to avoid the Tuesday 11/6 rush, please consider early voting which is from 10/27 - 11/3. Here is where you can find the info on hours and locations near you http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/vote_early.asp
SAVE Dade's Equality Ballot http://www.savedade.org/equalityballot

Esquire: Juvia one of the 20 Best New Restaurants in America
If you want to see what $8 million can buy in Miami Beach these days, check out Juvia, a spectacular ten-thousand-square-foot penthouse. The elevator opens onto a garden wall as wet as an Amazon rain forest. A retractable roof on the patio allows the Miami moonlight to shine on a leggy crop of Latinas slouched on purple sofas sipping spiked lemonade. In the dining room, past the backlit amethyst bar, there are tables of white oak and petrified wood and an open kitchen blazing at full tilt. Almost every seat has a grand view of Miami's Art Deco District, stretching from Biscayne Bay to the Atlantic. Nowhere will you feel more outside while dining inside. www.esquire.com

South Street: Jazz and Fried Chicken in the Design District
So open your heart/arms and welcome South Street, a bluesy tavern from the folks behind Gigi with crispy buttermilk bird and the smoothest of jazz, debuting in the Design District.
You'll probably remember that this spot once was Sra. Martinez. (RIP, braised oxtail.) Now, though, it's decidedly less Spanish and decidedly more South Philly. A Teddy Pendergrass kind of South Philly: sultry purple brick, vintage R&B albums lining the walls and bow-tied waiters serving up Bar Lab–created beverages. Okay, so that last part's not so Philly, but you'll allow for creative liberties when it comes to your cocktails. www.urbandaddy.com

Miami's Juan Ahonen-Jover Ph.D. has book published: The Gay Agenda 2012
This book describes the Gay Agenda for 2012 in detail—what it is, and how and why lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and others want to change the United States (and the world). Today in the United States, the core beliefs of the country are under attack. The freedom of religion is under attack. Family values are under attack. Individualism and the pursuit of happiness are under attack. The courts are under attack. This book is about freedom, including the freedom of religion and the freedom to be yourself. This book is also about our constitution and about one of our most cherished rights: to be treated equally under the law. What would it be like if we could return to the vision of our great constitution? What legislation would need to be added or modified to reach equal treatment under the law? How do we go about doing it? This book shows a path to it, and it is an urgent All Out call for action. www.amazon.com

NWS SoundScape Cinema Series Schedule
The free SoundScape Cinema Series begins again in October 2012 and is held at the Miami Beach SoundScape ExoStage, corner of 17 Street and Washington Avenue. Movies begin at 8pm unless otherwise noted.
October 31st Young Frankenstein (1974)
www.nws.edu

Sally Struthers, Kimberly Locke, Lindsey Alley, Carla Bordonada to Perform in Aventura Cabaret Series,
The Cabaret by the Bay Series is a fresh take on the classic art form and presents stories and songs from remarkable women who all share unique perspectives on the world of entertainment. The series begins with American Idol finalist and Billboard chart-topping recording artist Kimberley Locke. It continues with the Disney Songbook presented by former Mousketeer Lindsey Alley. Next, Puerto Rican born cabaret star Carla Bordonada takes us on a journey through the colorful history of Latinos on the Great White Way. The series concludes with multiple Emmy®-Award winning actress, spokeswoman, comedienne and personality Sally Struthers taking the stage with songs and stories to delight.
Renowned Cabaret Pianist, Rick Leonard will serve as the series Musical Director. Author and playwright, David Sexton will serve as the series Artistic Director. www.aventuracenter.org

SAVE Dade's Hellrotika Halloween Extravaganza - Saturday, October 27th
SAVE DADE's 18th Annual Halloween Extravaganza, HELLROTIKA – Odyssey of the Gods, will be Saturday, October 27th at the Moore Building 4040 NE 2nd Avenue Miami, FL 33137. This is always the biggest Halloween party of the year.
Profits from Hellrotika benefit Save DADE, who Promotes, Protects and Defends Equality in Miami-Dade County.
Tickets and info available at:www.hellrotika.com

Sam Champion and Rubem Robierb Engaged to Be Married
The Good Morning America television personality is engaged to longtime boyfriend and Brazilian-born photographer Rubem Robierb. The New York Times broke the news of their engagement Friday, in a story about the wedding of MSNBC news anchor Thomas Roberts and Patrick Abner, which Champion attended with his partner Saturday in NYC.
"We're getting married New Year's Eve in Miami," the 51-year-old weather guru told The Times of his engagement to Rubem. www.eonline.com

Georgia's Union (in former Joe Allen's space) Closes After Three Month Run
Open for just barely more than three months, Georgia's Union, the Southern soul food spin-off from The Morgans Restaurant that replaced Morgan's SoBe location, has now closed its doors too. Owner Barclay Effs tells Miami.com that the Morgans team will focus all "energy and resources into Morgans and the Midtown and Miami District neighborhoods" and that they are "committed to both maintaining and expanding" the establishment. No word yet on any prospects for the space on Purdy Avenue. www.miami.eater.com

Controversial Disney family development a go on Miami Beach
Miami Beach's steadily evolving Sunset Harbour neighborhood is losing a vacant cleaners and an abandoned development site and gaining a sleek new five-story retail and condo complex — not that neighbors are particularly happy about it.
The city's Design Review Board on Tuesday approved the Palau at Sunset Harbour, hailed by city planners as "one of the most significant residential projects that will be developed in the city for a long time to come," but opposed by surrounding neighborhood groups. www.miamiherald.com

Gehry to Turn Bacardi Complex Into Arts Campus
Many architects would be wary of touching a beloved Miami landmark like the multicolored Bacardi complex on Biscayne Boulevard.
But the architect Frank Gehry is a fan of the organization that just purchased it: the National YoungArts Foundation, a nonprofit that helps aspiring high school artists. He has had a long relationship with the founders of YoungArts — Lin Arison and her husband, Ted — who also created the New World Symphony, for which Mr. Gehry designed a new center in Miami. www.nytimes.com

Cooper Avenue now open in South Beach
Amir Ben-Zion's long-awaited eatery, Cooper Avenue, finally opens today. What started as Gigi Village has now morphed into a new concept that features New American cuisine -- contemporary dishes with a few twists.
Last night, we were invited to the friends and family preview, which allowed us to scope out the whole menu for free. The selection isn't terribly complicated; items are divided into starters, salads, raw bar, entrees, family style, steaks, sauces, and sides. Prices range from $7 to $75 making Cooper Avenue a bit pricier than its sister, Gigi. That being said, both starters and entrees are big, hearty, and sharable. www.miaminewtimes.com

H&M's New Lincoln Road Extravaganza Opens in November
Construction on the historic Lincoln Theatre, and the new South Florida Flagship H&M store is set to be completed and open by the end of November, in time for this year's Art Basel Miami Beach in early December. In preparation for that, and to build up a little expectation most likely, H&M's nearby pop-up shop will be closing this weekend. www.miami.curbed.com

Dylan Lauren carries her candy store theme to Miami Beach
In early December, Dylan Lauren, daughter of Ralph Lauren, will open a Lincoln Road outpost in the former Ghirardelli space. Expect ample opportunities to gawk at celebs. The flagship store in Manhattan has lured Michelle Obama with her girls, Oprah, Madonna, Janet Jackson, the Olsens, the Beckhams, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes with daughter Suri and endless others. www.mmiamiherald.com

Lincoln Road's Kim's Chinese to become 8 Oz. Burger Bar
After what has been a period of confusion and suspicion regarding a swift name change at 8 oz. Burger Bar's South Beach location on 10 and Alton Road, the owners have released a statement confirming they are indeed moving- to the former Kim's Chinese location on Lincoln Road. www.mmiami.eater.com

Lincoln Theatre's retail conversion a dazzling Deco drama in Miami Beach
When the New World Symphony moved out of its longtime home at Miami Beach's Lincoln Theatre last year, some fans despaired over what would become of the splendid Art Deco building, one of the undisputed architectural gems of South Beach if not all of Florida.
It turns out they had nothing to worry about.
Confronted with the daunting question of what to do with an obsolete but historic movie house, developer Cliff Stein, whose investment group paid $21.5 million for the building to turn it into a retail center, decided on a gutsy answer: www.miamiherald.com

Miami City Ballet continues revival by naming new executive director
After a tough year, Miami City Ballet is suddenly coming back strong. First, the troupe announced $3 million in new donations, a lifesaving influx of nearly a quarter of its $13 million budget. And Tuesday, MCB announced the hiring of a top fundraiser at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington as executive director. www.miamiherald.com

8 Oz. Burger Bar is now American Burger
Hardly major news here, but South Beach's 8 Oz. Burger Bar is now called American Burger. 8 Oz's North Miami location has seemingly kept its maiden name. As for why the name change, we called and an employee said "Ask the owner," so we emailed Eric Fried, to whom original owner Josh Woodward licensed the 8 Oz. name several years ago. He is currently out of town but on his American Burger Facebook page someone at the restaurant replied to a few confused customers saying, "Just new name, same ownership." You say P Diddy, I say Puff Daddy . . . .others will say shady. www.miami.com

NWS Wallcast Concert Schedule
The NWS Wallcast concerts allow you to experience select events throughout the season at Miami Beach SoundScape through a striking use of visual and audio technology on a soaring, 7,000-square-foot projection wall.
Bring a blanket, share a picnic dinner and enjoy the sights and sounds of the New World Symphony with friends and family.
Each Wallcast concert is free to the public and does not require a ticket. www.nws.edu

Wynwood Named One of the Hippest Hipster Neighborhoods In the Nation
Wynwood has art galleries. It has trendy restaurants. It has a craft coffeehouse and a bar where you can buy indie magazines and boutiques stocking clothing made by local designers. And yes, it has droves of young, creative people, some of which wear thick-rimmed glasses or mustaches or both.
Miamians have known Wynwood as the city's hipster hub for years. But now, even stalwart national business publications are taking notice. Forbes ranked Wynwood at number 19 in its list of "America's Hippest Hipster Neighborhoods" yesterday, right between Boston's Allston-Brighton neighborhood and Lower Westheimer in Houston, Texas. www.miaminewtimes.com

Trader Joe's will open first South Florida outpost in 2013
South Floridians jonesing for a Trader Joe's fix will no longer have to drive across the state. The niche grocer announced Wednesday that it will open a store in Pinecrest next year.
The California-based company confirmed that it had signed a lease to open an outpost at 9205 S. Dixie Highway. The store is expected to be about 13,500 square feet. www.miamiherald.com

Sunset Harbour garage is open for parking
Some construction projects seem to take forever — some, but not all.
The new city of Miami Beach parking garage at Sunset Harbour quietly opened this week ($1 an hour up to six hours), and work moves forward on the ground level retail spaces that will house Ice Box Cafe, Panther Coffee and other attractions.
The garage, designed by Architectonica, has 450 spaces and 30,000 square feet of retail on the sidewalk level. www.belleisleblog.com

Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Dior and more adorn Miami’s Design District
Diamond baubles from Cartier glittering in one window, Louis Vuitton's signature leather bags beckoning from across the street and another storefront displaying Hermes' silk scarves.
Within months this is the scene that will greet visitors to Miami's Design District, as the neighborhood begins its dramatic metamorphosis into the new hot spot for luxury shopping. www.miamiherald.com

World Erotic Art Museum's 7th Anniversary - Tuesday October 16th 7pm-10pm
The innate erotic essence in all of us keeps up healthy and young in spirit. Many erotic art pieces illustrate the humor in life. It is here for you to enjoy. That is why the theme of the 7th anniversary party at the World Erotic Art Museum is: Let's have a party. Parites are for the young at heart and young in spirtit.
There will be Cake, candy, ice cream, popcorn, and oh, spiked punch. See the Bunny Yeager and Marilyn Monroe exhibits.
Located in Miami Beach's Art Deco district, the World Erotic Art Museum's collection covers contemporary art to ancient artifacts, from Picasso to Pompeii.
World Erotic Art Museum 1205 Washington Avenue Miami Beach. www.weam.com

ORGULLO festival this weekend in Miami Beach to celebrate Hispanic gay culture
October is national Hispanic Heritage Month and also recognized as LGBT History Month. The confluence translates into a perfect time to celebrate Latin gay culture, said Herb Sosa, president of Unity Coalition, the state’s leading Hispanic gay-rights group. www.miamiherald.com

They're Replacing South Pointe Pier
Miami Beach just approved the replacement of South Pointe Pier, just off South Pointe Park, in Government Cut. Construction, which will involve joining precast concrete elements together like Lincoln Logs, or Tinker Toys (or whatever other flashback toy analogy you like) will begin in January and take about a year. www.miami.curbed.com

Here's What Miami Beach's Latest Designer Parking Garage Will Look Like
Miami Beach is quickly becoming the capital of parking garages designed by world renowned architects. This week, the community got its first in depth look at what the latest, designed by Zaha Hadid -- perhaps the world's leading female architect -- will look like. To our relatively uninformed eyes, it looks like a really, really sleek Hot Wheels play set come to life. Which is to say, we like it!
The new lot will be constructed behind the City Ballet and Library on the site of two existing surface lots along 23rd street. In addition to parking, the complex will feature 20,000 square feet of retail and a plaza, in case you like to hang out around parking lots. www.blogs.miaminewtimes.com

The Design District's First New Buildings Are Almost Done
The first new buildings of the Design District's rather radical evolution from being a high-design furniture district to an haute fashion mall are nearing completion. 175 NE 40th Street, which we've discussed before has just gotten a surprising and dark new facade, with some sort of hanging glass window features - more sculptural than anything actually functional - directly below its roof garden. Curbed intel says that this building was most likely designed by local firm Keenan Riley Architects, headed by former MoMA Architecture Curator and MAM Director Terrance Riley. The rear, visible from 41st street, has received its very metallic final look too. www.miami.curbed.com

Kardashian reality show house hunts on DiLido, North Bay Road
DiLido Isle residents were buzzing Thursday morning after learning that representatives of the Karadashian’s reality venture were going door-to-door near 714 W. DiLido Dr. seeking signatures in support of allowing the property to be used as the Kardashian’s home in an upcoming season of reality installments. www.belleisleblog.com

Top 20 Gay Travel Destinations of 2013
As Roman sage Seneca once said, "Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind." According to the LGBT market specialist Out Now, our minds must full of vigor. After reportedly conducting the largest ever research study on LGBT travelers, the group reports that we will spend approximately $165 billion on travel in 2012 and even more next year. Furthermore, LGBT dollars are going to some traditionally beloved cities like San Francisco and Miami as well as less typical destinations such as Cape Town and Tokyo.
The following are the top 20 most coveted travel cities among LGBT tourists, according to the Out Now survey. www.advoocate.com

Miami Beach police: Man tries to buy beer with card stolen from the bartender
Miami Beach police say David Weber's first mistake was breaking into a car in a parking garage Monday night in order to quench an insatiable thirst for beer with the help of someone else's credit card.
But, police said, his second, and by far more critical, mistake was walking into The Clevelander just before midnight and giving the card to a bartender — who noticed that he'd just been handed his own credit card. www.miamiherald.com

Art Deco and Wynwood developer Tony Goldman dies
Tony Goldman, a pioneer in turning South Beach from a drab retirement spot to one of the country's hippest hotel districts and who played a central role in reviving Miami's Wynwood neighborhood as an arts destination, died Tuesday at 68, a family spokeswoman said.
Goldman died of heart failure at a New York hospital after a long bout with lung maladies, said Susan Brustman, a longtime Goldman publicist. His family was with him when he died, she said. www.miamiherald.com

11th Street Diner Celebrates 20 Years!
On Monday, September 10th, the 11th Street Diner celebrated 20 years with a fantastic celebration. Commissioner Michael Gongora presented the Diner's owners Steven Schnitzer and Ray Schnitzer a proclomation, on behlaf of the City of Miami Beach.
The party brought out a plethora of South Beach pioneers, colorful characters and former employees including Janet Jorgulesco, Merle and Danny Weiss, Richard Jay-Alexander, Cubby, Tommy Strangie (Shelley Novak), Naomi Wilzig (World Erotic Aart Museum), Jeffrey Wilkinson, Gary James, Crispy Soloperto, Michelle Mckinnon, Bibi Andrade, Hertor Cerna (Amy Rivers), Aaron Von Powell, Ross Berger, Steve Adkins (Miami Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce).
(Photo stolen from Richard Jay-Alexander)

Miami's Six Most Anticipated Fall Openings
While it might not feel like it yet in Miami, summer is coming to a close. It's now the exciting time of year where restaurants are opening just in time for the fall/winter season that is oh-so popular for visitors and locals alike. Be sure to keep an eye on these restaurants moving in as the humidity moves out. www.miami.eater.com

Second Annual Oktoberfest Brickell - October 5th-7th
The beautiful historic Miami Circle® sets the stage for a waterfront weekend of true Oktoberfest at its best brought to you by Brickell Bier Garden, Radeberger Gruppe and Chef Wolfgang Ban. The event will take place Friday October 5th (6pm to Midnight), Saturday October 6th (2pm to Midnight) and Sunday October 7th (2pm to 10pm) at 401 Brickell Avenue, at the mouth of the Miami River next to The Viceroy Hotel & Spa. With general admission ($10 pre-paid, $15 at the door) guests will enjoy traditional German beer ($6-$8), delicacies ($4-$12), music and games, VIP ticket ($100 per day or $200 3-day pass) holders will have access to a furnished private tent, bite size dishes and unlimited Radeberger beers while The Bier Garden Pop Up Restaurant experience will be by online advance reservation only.
Discount Ticket code: OKTMIAMICIRCLE www.BrickellBierGarden.com

Celebrate Orgullo - Saturday, October 6th Noon to 6pm
Started in 2011, Celebrate ORGULLO is a Showcase of Hispanic LGBT Pride Festival during Hispanic Heritage Month at 12th Street & Ocean Drive, on the sands of Miami Beach. This is the First Event of its kind in the U.S.
Free and open to the public, Celebrate Orgullo® will feature music, dance, refreshments, vendor booths, and more! A portion of proceeds from the sale of food and beverages will benefit the LGBT Youth Scholarship Fund. www.celebrateorgullo.com

16th Annual Miami Recognition Dinner - Saturday, October 6th
The 16th Annual Miami Recognition Dinner will return to the spectacular Sparkle Ballroom of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach on Saturday, October 6th. The evening features two cocktail receptions (one for VIP guests), a sit-down dinner, a silent auction, an awards ceremony, and dancing.
This year's event will be hosted by LeVar Burton and honoring Elizabeth F. Schwartz and Matt Foreman.
The Miami Recognition Dinner is an important South Florida tradition. It not only allows the LGBT community and its supporters to celebrate our heroes, it also provides a vital source of funding for the community on the local and national levels. www.thetaskforce.org

More Fancy Just-Off-Lincoln Retail Coming, With Renderings
More renderings of Scott Robins' new 1000 Building have hit the pavement - the blaringly sunny 17th street pavement that is - showing an Arquitectonica design that's actually quite good. Three levels of retail are crowned by a restaurant with outdoor seating and pretty good views (not Juvia-gorgeous, but nice) of Miami Beach. A grand staircase lines the rear of the property, to make the building's vertical circulation as close to Lincoln Road itself as possible. Oh, and construction has started, so yay! www.miami.curbed.com

Michelle Bernstein Brings Crumb on Parchment to The Webster in Miami Beach
Opening Wednesday, August 29, Crumb at The Webster will feature the same fast casual soups, salads, sandwiches,and baked goods that Bernstein's Design District eatery draws consistent lunchtime lines for. Located in the hotel's first floor lounge, the intimate space will seat about 30 guests, with room for an additional 12 on the outside patio. Plus, there's the beach (with unlimited ocean view seating) a mere block away.
Crumb at The Webster will initially serve lunch from 11am to 4pm Wednesday through Sunday, with fresh-brewed coffee, pastries, and cocktails offered until 8 p.m. -- just in time for a little apres beach pick-me-up. www.miaminewtimes.com

William Levy distracts diners in South Beach
Dancing with the Stars heartthrob William Levy was seen Saturday at Prime 112 with a large group of people, apparently provoking a Pavlovian effect with many admirers who stopped stabbing their steaks to drool a little. Also in the house that night was Shaquille O'Neal, who posed for pics on his way out. www.miamiherald.com

MDGLCC 2nd Annual LGBT Symposium on Aging - Saturday, September 22nd
MDGLCC presents the 2nd Annual LGBT Symposium on Aging on Saturday, September 22nd at the Hyatt Regency Miami (400 SE 2nd Avenue). Sponsored by Treece Financial, Kaufman Rossin & Co., Northern Trust, Victim's Response Inc. / The Lodge, Hyatt Regency Miami, & Jackson Health System. This all day conference will have a professional track and a consumer track featuring a broad variety of topics that will include Senior Exploitation, Financial Planning for the Future, Aging in Place, Sexuality, Domestic Violence, Current Research from UM Dept on Aging, SAGE in Dade County and many others. CEUs available for Social Workers; CEUs pending for Guardians and Nurses. Registration ($35 for Chamber members and $55 for non-chamber members) is limited (includes lunch and morning & afternoon refreshments). For more information visit www.gaybizmiami.com

Noche Nadadores - Saturday, September 22nd
The Nadadores of South Florida, one of Miami-Dade County's longest-running sports teams, will host its annual Noche Nadadores fundraiser on Saturday, September 22nd at KMP Furniture Gallery in the historic MiMo District in Miami, FL. The annual fundraiser, which has been taking place for over a decade, promotes awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) initiatives in the community, while celebrating diversity and inclusiveness.
The event will feature a swimsuit fashion show with a variety of swimsuit designs courtesy of the Creative Male store, a silent auction, gourmet treats, awesome beats and off-course an open bar. www.nadadores.org

Miami Gay Men's Chorus seeks new members for new season!
Voice Placements on Thursdays August 30th September 6th & 13th
The MIami Gay Men's Chorus is starting our new season and we invite everyone who is a present member, our past members, and those who have wanted to join us this season to look the schedule over so they can get started.
If you are considering joining the Chorus, please be sure to be at one of the voice placements. All our events and rehearsals take place in the hall at All Souls Episcopal Church, 4025 Pine Tree Drive on Miami Beach, just south of 41st St near Walgreens. There is plenty of parking in the church lot. www.miamigaychorus.org

North Miami Beach OK's booze at all-nude clubs
The three adult entertainment venues operating in North Miami Beach are one step closer to being able to have their patrons legally drink an alcoholic beverage while watching dancers perform.
The city council voted unanimously Tuesday to lift a nearly 23-year prohibition of the sale and consumption of alcohol in nude establishments — one that apparently went unenforced by city officials for years.
It also complies with state law that allows for straddle dancing and private performances by entertainers in those venues. www.miamiherald.com

Re-Scheduled for Saturday, September 8th: Floatopia Innertube Ocean Party Drifts Into South Beach
Rarely have we met an "-opia" we didn't like. After all, utopias comes in many forms, and we'll take the promised land however it chooses to present itself.
Now, a new version of Eden is about to hit Miami in the guise of Floatopia, a giant gathering of buoyant partygoers.
On Saturday, August 25, adventurous souls will take to the waters of South Pointe Park on flotation devices far more interesting than your average airplane cushion. www.miaminewtimes.com

New upscale hostel planned for Miami Beach
A New York hospitality company has announced plans for an upscale hostel in Miami Beach.
The Freehand Miami is set to open in November at the site of the old Indian Creek Hotel, 2727 Indian Creek Drive, which is closed now for renovations. Sydell Group, which has properties including the NoMad Hotel and Ace Hotel in New York, is behind the "reinvention" of the property.
As of Monday, the website — thefreehand.com — is live, and bookings are being accepted. Nightly rates for the least expensive accommodations start between $27 and $69 per person, depending on the day. www.miamiherald.com

IKEA coming to Miami-Dade's Dolphin Mall
The trademark IKEA big blue box is finally coming to Miami-Dade County.
Five years after opening its first Florida store in Sunrise, IKEA is ready to double its South Florida presence with a store just north of Dolphin Mall and facing the east side of the Florida Turnpike. The Swedish retailer known for its cheap, chic home furnishings announced late Wednesday that it is submitting plans to the city of Sweetwater for a 417,000-square foot store. If plans are approved, it would become the largest of IKEA’s four Florida locations. www.miamiherald.com

SuViche opens on 16th Street next to The Abbey and Yardbird
Good things come in small packages, although they become troublesome when you can't fit more than 2.5 people inside said packages to eat ceviche. That's why Brickell hole-in-the-wall SuViche's opening a much larger space next to Yardbird, where it'll stuff you with its tasty seafood from a triple-the-size, studio-esque open space.
SuViche 1119 16th Street Miami Beach www.thrillist.com

Victory for Swinging Richards
After a uninanimous 7 to 0 vote by the City Council of North Miami Beach, Swinging Richards has secured their right to remain open.

Anderson Cooper at Hard Rock Live - Thursday, September 20th 8pm
CNN Anchor and TV Host Anderson Cooper comes to Hard Rock Live Hollywood on September 20th at 8PM.
Tickets on Sale on August 22nd at 1PM.
www.ticketmaster.com

LGBT Symposium on Aging - Saturday, September 22th from 8am to 4pm
The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC) in collaboration with Community Partners will hold its 2nd Annual "Symposium on Aging" with the objective to further educate and explore the needs of the LGBT community. The event will take place on Saturday, September 22th from 8am to 4pm at the Hyatt Regency Miami (400 SE 2nd Avenue, Miami). SEE FULL INFORMATION

24 year old model, Nick Gruber plans to write tell-all about his tumultuous two-year relationship with Calvin Klein
You wanna know what came between Nick Gruber and his Calvin? Everything — and soon everyone will know.
Gruber, our own Nate Freeman has learned exclusively, is writing a tell-all book about his tumultuous two-year relationship with Calvin Klein , and after just days on the market it's incited a bidding war in the publishing world.
The 24-year-old male model plans to share all the sordid details, and a source tells us there are two strong offers on the table with a third one on the way. www.nydailynews.com

Karen Brown named executive director of the LGBT Visitor Center in Miami Beach
Long-time hospitality executive Karen Brown has been selected as the new executive director of the LGBT Visitor Center in Miami Beach, announced Steve Adkins, president of the Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which is responsible for the LGBT Visitor Center operations. www.rmiamiherald.com

David Richardson becomes Florida's first openly gay legislator
David Richardson, a 55-year-old forensic accountant and political newcomer, says he's comfortable having made Florida history on election night.
"I am the first openly gay legislator in the history of Florida. And forever will be," said Richardson, who on Tuesday defeated three other candidates to represent state House District 113 in Miami Beach. www.rmiamiherald.com

Railway company to build passenger service from Miami to Orlando
A Miami real estate and transportation company announced Wednesday that it plans to go ahead with a $1 billion project to build a privately run passenger train service between Miami and Orlando to begin operations by the end of 2014. www.reuters.com

Charles Perez: The President, the Tipping Point, and Chick-Fil-A
"This is about my right to free speech," cried one of my Facebook friends as she declared her support for Chick-Fil-A and her intention to go miles out of her way to pick up a Chick-Fil-A Deluxe Chicken Sandwich. Her sentiments were echoed by tens of thousands who lined up around the block at Chick-Fil-A's everywhere to show their "appreciation" to it's owner and president, Dan T. Cathy, for expressing his opposition to same sex marriage. The revelers showed up in droves, cheering and enthusiastic, citing free speech and support for the rights of business to set their own policy, even if it's perceived as politically incorrect in the mainstream. The numbers who showed up were surprising.
"It's a ruse," read one post. "This isn't about free speech. It's about hate speech." Cathy, who has famously called supporters of same-sex marriage "twisted" and "deprived" has, obviously, tapped into something. www.huffingtonpost.com

It's Miami Spice month!
Miami Spice is a mouth-watering restaurant promotion showcasing the very best of Miami cuisine.
During August and September, Miami's top restaurants offer three-course meals (Lunches $19 or $23, Dinners $33 or $39) featuring signature dishes created by world-renowned chefs. Discover the tropical fusion of ingredients that makes Miami dining so wonderfully out of the ordinary. www.ilovemiamispice.com

September 2012 California Wine Country Multisport
Outings & Adventures' inaugural itinerary is the quintessential touring of the California Wine Country with a twist. Known around the world for its beauty and impressive wine production, Napa Valley is full of amazing food, wine, and scenery. From the architectural marvel of the Golden Gate Bridge to the towering Redwoods of the Muir Woods, California's Wine Country has an abundance of new and exciting things for us to discover together.
The adventure includes: biking across the Golden Gate Bridge, hiking Muir Woods, paddling the calm waters of Tomales Bay, biking and hiking through Napa and Sonoma, winery touring and tastings and cruising the Folsom Street Fair. www.OutingsAndAdventures.com


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