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7 *II I!I g11 1A 1 I '! 1 I[ 1iT I FI IEllJ.JEJCIES'SCE THE SAME.UDA _^W -----^^ ba- Dental Options We One Island Place, Aventura Unobstructed Ocean & Intracoastal views. 2-story 8,879 sf pnthse. 5bd/7ba, approx. 5,200 sfof balconies & priv. rooftop terrace, 5 underground prkg spaces incl. $2.895M also for rent. Bay Harbor Islands Wide bay residence of renowned architect Barry Sugerman, featured in Florida Design, Southern Living, Casa & Estilo, HGTV & Miami Herald. Open & spacious floorplan overlooking pool, patio, bay&fabulousviews. $2.975M Champlain Towers Unique opportunity. Meticulously designed, 2 units combined to form approx. 3500 sf, 4bd/3.5ba, panoramic direct ocean & city views from every room. Greatamenities and location. $1.45M Bal Harbour Village Exquisite renderings and Golden Isles Mediterranean waterfront in 24hrguard detailed plans for last remaining waterfront lot in Bal gated comm. 5/5.5, vaulted ceilings, wood burning Harbour Village. 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SBB-I Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 My American Idols with Kimberley Locke I Dec 7-8 Wiesenthal: The Conscience of the Holocaust I Mar 13-17 Forbidden Broadway I Jan 4-5 The Capitol Steps I Mar 20-24 Cirque d'Amour I Jan 20 Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues I Mar 29 September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com MORE THAN 30 SHOWS NO FEES! ( IFYU PURCHASE NO FEE S'. IN PERSON! LES MISERABLES I FLAMENCO FESTIVAL I BOBBY MCFERRIN I THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA I STOMP I IDINA MENZEL I DIEGO EL CIGALA BECKETT I FELA! I LIGHT/THE HOLOCAUST & HUMANITY PROJECT I MARY POPPINS I BROADWAY IN MIAMI I I AM MY OWN WIFE I ANDRE WATTS THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA I THE SAVANNAH DISPUTATION I GIRLS VS BOYS I GEORGE BALANCHINE'S THE NUTCRACKER I BOSTON POPS PAQUITO D'RIVERA I KODO I SAVION GLOVER JAZZ ROOTS I THE LEGEND OF ZELDAM I BEETHOVEN'S 9TH I RACHMANINOFF'S PIANO CONCERTO NO. 2 CHICKCOREA I TALIB KWELI: IDLE WARSHIP WITH RES I ROCK OFAGES I BALLETAUSTIN I GEORGE BENSON I UNFORGETTABLE: ATRIBUTETO NAT KING COLE LA BOHEME I ALL NEW PEOPLE I DAVE GRUSIN | ESPERANZA SPALDING I PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT I MIAMI CITY BALLET I MONK & COLTRANE THEATERUPCLOSE I LENINE I THE GOLDBERG VARIATIONS I THEMAGICFLUTE I NEWWORLD SYMPHONY I MEMPHIS I FLORIDA GRAND OPERA I BROTHERS SEPTEMBER 11:30-2:30PM FREETOURS! PRIZES! FOODTRUCKS! FREE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT! E NO FEES! GET TICKETS 1 DAY BEFORE THE GENERAL PUBLIC HOSTED BY MIAMI'S OWN ELAINE LANCASTER! T FRIEND, FAN, FOLLOW FOR INSIDE SCOOP, TICKETS! SPECIAL OFFERS AND MORE! 305.949.6722 arshtcenter.org PRELUDE IVAKE YOUR II RESERVATION TODAY! Convenient parking is plentiful! Info: arshtcenter.org/parking Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Consultation and Treatment Planning Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 I Ex ibiin Mary Brckell Village Meet Your Neighbors Opening reception of Jamie Warren: The WHOAS of Freedom Tower Female Tragedy and Elena Sisto: Between Silver Light & Orange Shadow 5:30-8pm DWNTWNa rtdays.com 6-9pm DWNTWN art dCiaj Centro Cultural Espanol Miami Cisneros Foundation Miami Art Museum Cultural Plaza HistoryMiami Cultural Plaza Miami-Dade Public Library Cultural Plaza Freedom Tower Historic Alfred I. Dupont Building "La Bestia" photographs by Isabel Munoz Not Me: Subject to Change Rashid Johnson "The Guayabera: A Shirt's Story" Jean Chiang: A Journey Called Life "Shutter" Jamie Warren and Elena Sisto "Shelf Life" by Michelle Weinberg I SpecalEen Southeast Financial Center HistoryMiami Cultural Plaza Historic Alfred I. Dupont Building Miami Children's Museum Miami Children's Museum Made in Miami Video Art curated byColin Foord Construct Addictive Patterns by artist A.G. Viva DWNTWN Art Window Open Studio with MCM Studio Artist Art Exploration Adrienne Arsht Center for the 9am5m Performing Arts 9am-5pm Adrienne Arsht Center for the 10am-5pm Performing Arts Adrienne Arsht 10am-5pm Center for the Performing Arts 10am-5pm Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts 10am-5pm Wine bythe Bay 12-5pm Bayfront Park NewWorld Ongoing Schoolof the Arts Freedom Tower 7am-6pm Centro Cultural Espanol Miami 10am-5pm Miami Dade Unveiling College Event 11am [Wolfson Campus] Miami Dade 11am-4pm College [Wolfson Campus] 11am-5pm The Corner Bar Food Truck Friday "Party at the new aquarium" by Amy von Harrington " the end I Radio" by PattiHer "Here///Data Mosh" byJillian Mayer WinePhoto, Editions 2011 and 2012 Art in the Park Exquisite Consequence exhibition opening "Igniton: Kick off Party for Arts Board Match" Concert "Descarga Cubana" "Gerhard Richter Painting" Presented by Miami International Film Festival "Mujeres de Shakespeare" byJacqueline Briceiio Southernmost Situations presents Southernmost Audio /Visual Situations 11:30am- 2:30pm 11:30am- 2:30pm McCormick Place Olympia Theater 11:30am- at the Gusman 2:30pm Centerforthe Performing Arts MiamiArt Ongoing Museum Cultural Plaza Noon-9pm Miami-Dade Public Library Cultural Plaza 5o-pm 5:30- 7:30pm 5:30- 7:30pm 6-7pm 7pm 8pm Vagabond HistoryMiami at Mary Brickell Village McCormick Place Grand Opening & Miami City Ballet Season Opening Party Historic Olympia Theater Tour Rashid Johnson: Message ToOur Folks A tour of "New Acquisitions" and the permanent collection Brickell to Miami Circle Walking Tour Friday at Vagabond 8-Midnight 10am, 2pm and 4pm 12:30pm 2pm 6pm 10am- 9pm 1-4pm 7-9pm 10pm onwards Centro Cultural Espanol Miami Cisneros Foundation HistoryMiami Cultural Plaza Miami Art Museum Cultural Plaza Miami Dade Public Library Cultural Plaza Freedom Tower Historic ALfred I. Dupont Building Historic Alfred I. Dupont Building I Sp-cilEens Southeast Financial Center Bayfront Park "La Bestia" photographs by Isabel Mufoz Not Me: Subject to Change "The Guayabera: A Shirt's Story" Rashid Johnson Jean Chiang: A Journey Called Life "Shutter" Jamie Warren and Elena Sisto DWNTWN Art Window "Shelf Life"by Michelle Weinberg Made in Miami Video Art curated by Colin Foord Art in the Park IMIAMIDDA DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Miami Dade College 9am5pm Wolfson Campus] 9am-5pm Bayfront Park Noon-5pm at E Flagler Street Artisan Lounge Noon-5pm HistoryMiami Cultural Plaza Noon-5pm Cisneros Foundation/ LegalArt Miami Noon-5pm Wine by the Bay Noon-5pm HistoryMiami Cultural Plaza Ongoing Miami Children's Museum Ongoing OMiami Art Museum Cutturat Plaza 9am-6pm Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts 9am-8pm Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts Open House for the Prometeo Children's Theatre "Picnic Blanket" by Misael Soto Artist Talk and Presentation by ALejandro Mendoza Construct Addictive Patterns by artist A.G. Viva Kickball match WinePhoto, Editions 2011 and 2012 Family Fun Days MCM's 9th Birthday Celebration Second Saturday are free for Families "Party at the new aquarium" by Amy von Harrington " The end I Radio" by PattiHer Adrienne Arsht 10am-2pm Centerforthe Performing Arts 11am-8pm Miami Dade am-8p College [Wolfson Campus] "Here///Data Mosh" byJillian Mayer "Mujeres de Shakespeare" by Jacqueline Briceiio 11am-noon Noon-5pm Olympia Theate at the Gusman Center for the Noon-2pm Performing Arts Miami Art Museum Cultural Plaza Noon-9pm Beached Miami Noon-5pm Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts Noon-5pm Artisan Lounge 1-4pm Christopher Carter 3pm- 6pm George Sanchez Calderon Studio 3pm- 6pm Vagabond Historic Olympia Theater Tour Family Day Exhibition Tour: Rashid Johnson DWNTWN Art Days bike tour Free Tours + Families Tour Artist Open Studios Visit the studio of DWNTWN artist Visit the studio of DWNTWN artist Dance Ritual featuring Louis Vega Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Artist Open Artisan Lounge Studios Christopher Carter Visit the studio of ChristopherCarter DWNTWN artist Artisan Lounge Artist Open Studio Reception Ongoing 8pm 10am, 2pm and 4pm 2pm 4-7pm 11am, noon and 1pm 10-9pm 1-4pm 3-5pm 10pm onwards [AHfterParty Art Tours r Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 x4 Tuscany Meets Miami Exclusive & luxurious 4BR/4BTH/2HBTH condo mansion on Fisher Island I 6,300 sq. ft. interior + 2 6;; sq ft. terraces I Italian inspired decor finishes Include wood beam ceilings, hand painted wall fres- N A coes & mosaic tile inlays I Gourmet chef's kitchen .I Huge master suite I Grand entertaining areas Breathtaking views of the Ocean, Bay & Downtown Miami skyline I JUST LISTED: $3,199,000 5332 Fisher Island Drive Fisher Island, FL 33109 Landmark Estate Restored 6BR/3BTH + 2V2HBTH 4,900 sq. ft. of living space I Incredible 18,487 sq. ft. lot I Great floor plan for a large family I Huge grass play area I Heated pool I Quiet street one block from bay I Exceptional, world class home! $1,650,000 5928 NE 6th Court Morningside http://www.Obeo.com/604521 Villa on the Sand Brand new construction | 3 Story 5BR/5.5BTH | 5,076 sq. ft. I Walled & gated villa across from beach I 3rd floor has play room, covered loggia, terrace I Endless oceanfront views I Minutes from dining and shop- ping I Good investment property for leasing $2,975,000 Short Sale 1423 North Atlantic Blvd Fort Lauderdale www. 1423NAtlanticBlvd.com Country French Estate & Equestrian Center Stately 4BR/4.5BTH main house I Separate 2BR/2BTH guest house 110,887 sq. ft. total I Pool | 5 gated acres | 2-car garage I Generator | 25 stall stable 1 100 x 200 lighted riding arena I Zoned agricultural I Low property taxes I Immaculate! I Live the Country Life! 3777 Southwest 152th Avenue Homestead www.23777SW152Ave.com September 201329 7718 Times C305 September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com CONTENTS COVER STORY 32 Lost in a Rising Sea COMMENTARY 12 Feedback: Letters 20 Jack King: Summertime Elections 24 Christian Cipriani: All About the Weather 24 Craig Chester: Miami's Big City Past OUR SPONSORS 26 BizBuzz COMMUNITY NEWS 46 The Building That Ate Greynolds Park 46 Roll 'Em! Movies Return to the Shores 47 MOCA Goes to Public Well, Comes Up Dry 47 Fire the Minister, Ignite the Congregation 48 Class Conflict: Aventura Charter Schools NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS 60 Gaspar: Conjunction Junction 62 Frank: The Morning After (the Election) 64 Wendy: Worse Than Their Bite 66 Shari Lynn: Get on the Bus 68 Mark: Satellite Campus 70 Jen: My House Is Your House ART & CULTURE 72 Anne Tschida: 0 Cinema Indie Screen Star 74 Melissa Wallen: Galleries + Museums 77 Events Calendar POLICE REPORTS 78 Derek McCann's Biscayne Crime Beat PARK PATROL 80 Jim W. Harper: Diamond in the Rough COLUMNISTS 82 Picture Story: Real Estate Boom, Congested Streets 83 Your Garden: Growing on Trees 84 Going Green: Changing Course 86 Pawsitively Pets: Lifestyles of the Rich and Furry 88 Vino: Aussie Wines that Hit and Miss the Mark 89 Dish: Zooming Out of Zuma DINING GUIDE 90 Restaurant Listings: 296 Biscayne Corridor Restaurants 1 -p-F lccre.w ed P SSSRO" ICIe get BISCAYNE e PO Box 370566, Miami, FL 33137 www.biscaynetimes.com Serving communities along the Biscayne Corridor: Arch Creek East, Aventura, Bay Point, Bayside, Biscayne Park, Belle Meade, Buena Vista, Coventry, Design District, Downtown, Eastern Shores, Edgewater, El Portal, Enchanted Lake, Hibiscus Island, Highland Lakes, Keystone Point, Miami Shores, Morningside, North Greynolds, North Bay Island, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Oak Forest, Oakland Grove, Palm Grove, Palm Island, Sans Souci, Shorecrest, Sky Lake, Sparling Lake, Star Island, Wynwood, and Venetian Islands PUBLISHER & EDITOR Jim Mullin jim.mullin@biscaynetimes.com CONTRIBUTORS Erik Bojnansky Senior Writer erik.bojnansky@biscaynetimes.com Anne Tschida, Arts Editor anne.tschida@biscaynetimes.com Pamela Robin Brandt, Crystal Brewe, Terence Cantarella, Christian Cipriani, Bill Citara, Karen-Janine Cohen, Wendy Doscher-Smith, Gaspar Gonzalez, Margaret Griffis, Jim W. Harper, Lisa Hartman, Jen Karetnick, Derek McCann, Frank Rollason, Silvia Ros, Shari Lynn Rothstein-Kramer, Mark Sell, Jeff Shimonski, Melissa Wallen BUSINESS MANAGER Sal Monterosso sal.monterosso@biscaynetimes.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Marc Ruehle marc.ruehle@biscaynetimes.com Nancy Newhart nancy.newhart@biscaynetimes.com Lynn Bovd lynn.bove@biscaynetimes.com ART DIRECTOR Marcy Mock marseadesign@mac.com ADVERTISING DESIGN DP Designs production@biscaynetimes.com CIRCULATION South Florida Distributors PRINTING Stuart Web, Inc. www.stuartweb.com FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL 305-756-6200 All articles, photos, and artwork in the Biscayne Times are copyrighted by Biscayne Media, LLC. Any duplication or reprinting without authorized wntten consent from the publisher is prohibited. 0 u \ E Serving the medical needs of the Miami Beach community for more than 35 years Miami Beach Community Health Center North 11645 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 103-104, Miami, FL, 33181 305-538-8835 www iaibeachhealh.org I ealthcare made ea Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 We Sell Homes. We Care. [eorgee &Company REAL ESTATE Georgee has placed more families in new homes on Miami's Northeast Corridor than any other real estate agent. "Our home sold in record time and at a record setting square- foot price! Georgee Kluck is simply the best Real Estate Broker in the Miami Shores area. Her market intelligence and industry knowledge are second to none. From creating a captivating virtual tour to expertly managing the entire sales process, our experience was superb. Her professional team made the process smooth every step of the way. Georgee knows the area's market dynamics and priced our home to sell at its best price. If the best compliment for outstanding performance is a recommendation we wholeheartedly give ours." Joan & Michael Maxwell Who will you call to sell your home? (305) 608-5269 or visit: georgeekluck.com/sell Keller Williams Realty 700 NE 90th St. Miami, FL 33138 1 September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com 10 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 "WATER FRONT ISMYBUSINESS" List with me and sell it FAST! 30-85-EF(5*3 JeffTomlinson h F l I '-T-Th F F hh .F - MAEN= jeffrealtor@comcast.net www.jeffrealtor.com SAN......I.ESTATES . ............. OWNER WILL FINANCE 1/3 a 106 lip do"' . . I FANN_ ~ -~ I September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com BISCAYNE DENTAL CENTER 14771 Biscayne Blvd. North Miami Beach, FL 33181 Just North of Costco in the Biscayne Commons Plaza 305.945.7745 Yourl OnisIle] Sto Sile Sh~1io]p~ Commentary: LETTERS Oscar, We Hear You Loud and Clear and in High Fidelity Stereo I enjoyed Gaspar Gonzdlez's cover story on Roy Wright and his North Miami business repairing old console stereos ("For the Love of Audio," August 2012). There is definitely a growing interest in vintage audio equipment. I wanted to say that Roy Wright is not the only person in our area who specializes in this work. I also have a business selling and restoring vintage record players and radios. It's called Spin Alley Vintage Pho- nographs and Radios. You can learn more at my website: www.spinalleystore.com. Oscar Herrera Miami South Dade Boring? Not When I Was Growing Up There In Wendy Doscher-Smith's column "Freaky Meeting You Here," August 2012), she asks this question: "Was southern Dade always a bastion of boredom?" I would say that, as a youngster growing up there, at that time for me, the answer was No. Like her, I went to Southwood, then Palmetto (think I'm a couple of years ahead of her), now currently live farther north, and rarely venture down south The few times I do head that way, it does seem like it has become filled with yuppies and white-picket fence families. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I see her point. While I was growing up down south, there was no "Pinecrest" as we know it today. I knew it as Perr-ine on the east side and the other side of U.S. 1 as PEA-rrine. Either way, it didn't matter because my experience there was that no matter on which side of U.S.1 you lived, ev- eryone was friends. At least in my own experience that was the case. I highly value my experience grow- ing up in a true melting pot of people from different backgrounds and cultures, because we all meshed fine and it forever made me feel most comfortable when around a mixture of people. Ironically I also had a serious boyfriend from a couple of decades ago who used to live in the Westchester area, yet always looked to the area of The Falls and south of that as the place to be. I believe he now lives in Pinecrest with his family in a large home, much larger than the homes used to be in that area while we were there. These days I can't bring myself to venture into "Southland Mall" because to me, ever since it stopped being Cutler Ridge Mall in the aftermath of Hurri- cane Andrew, it was no longer the mall I hung out at on many occasions. I also have no desire to ever live south of South Miami at the very farthest. Also I love the fact that Miami is finally starting to build more of an art scene. Pam Weiss North Miami Downtown a Nightlife Hot Spot? Back Then, Yes What a wonderfully enjoyable article on the Vagabond Motel and the Vagabonds Club (A Tale of Two Vagabonds," August 2012). Thanks to Terence Cantarella for such a well-researched piece, complete with great historical photos and promotion- al images from the pasts of both places. It's hard to imagine a time when you could apparently stroll along Biscayne Boulevard downtown and pass the Freedom Tower and nightclubs, since it now resembles a superhighway lined by looming condos. Anyway, thanks for that article and keep up the good work! Jesse Walters, councilman Miami Shores Village Vagabond Mythology Laid To Rest At Last Thanks to Terence Cantarella for a great story about "The Way It Wasn't" at the Vaga- bond. It prompted me to finally remember the business connectionbetween Sydney Gold- berg, [who built the Vagabond Motel], and the Vagabonds act. Goldberg had a business interest in the Clover Club, the downtown Miami venue where the Vagabonds appeared before they opened their own club. The Vagabonds Club building on Biscayne Boulevard and NE 8th Street was originally built as the clubhouse for the American Legion's Harvey Seeds Post in the early 1920s. The Harvey Seeds Post moved to what is now Legion Park in 1934. Keep up the good work. Antolin Carbonell Upper Eastside Walmart: Like Cramming a Bowling Ball into a Tea Cup The meaning behind Christian Cipriani's column about a Walmart coming to Midtown Miami is elusive ("The Devil's Merchant," August 2012), but apparently he dislikes people who dislike Walmart more than he dislikes Walmart itself. In any case, I agree with some of his points: Midtown is not posh. Wynwood has evolved whereas Mid- town was built "in one fell swoop." Image is important in retail, and sometimes image doesn't correlate with Continued on page 16 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 (Biscayne Dental Center') Dr. Edgar Karim Lopez Dr. Edgar Karim Lopez is a Dr. Edgar Karim Lopez is a graduate of the University of Miami where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in 1995. He then proceeded to pursue his dental degree at the University of Florida School of Dentistry, graduating class of 2001. His areas of interest are cosmetic dentist and oral surgery. Dr. Lopez is a very dedicated professional dentist, who focuses on his patient's needs and comfort. Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 exc usive listings presented by majestic properties MAJESTIC PROPERTIES OFFICE SPACE IN MIDTOWN 2 CITY 4 3449 NE 1st Ave I Miami 350 NE 24th Street I Miami 658 SQFT COMM OALOF CE IOFDo @$,995PA1 Amazing opportunity to have your office in the NOW LEASING 2 BD / 2 BA UNITS FROM $1,850 TO $2,550 hottest neighborhood in Miami. This office/retail/ gallery space has brand new tile floors, high CITY24 is a contemporary, boutique building with just 119 residences. CITY24 boasts dynamic exposed concrete ceilings large windows and Biscayne Bay. Fantastic pool and gym. LIVE THE CITY LIFE. Your Ideal city life In vibrant trop ground level entry. Be part of the exciting Midtown Miami Community. t LUIS GOMEZ REALTOR ASSOCIATE DAVID CAROLAN BROKER ASSOCIA] cell 305 763 1876 Igomez@majesticproperties.com cell 305 610 3251 I dcarolan@m c outdoor spaces with city and water views stretching over beautiful ilcal Miami. Luxury condo and retail spaces for sale and lease. FE aiesticproperties.com CITE ON THE BAY QUANTUM ON THE BAY GATED TOWN HOME CONDOS OCEANSIDE PLAZA 2000 Norh Bayshore Dive #5201 Hot Perfomng rs Aea 1900 North Bayshore Drive 11 line # 32111 Miami Miami Shores/Hot Upper East Side 5555 Collins Ave 14-R I Miami Beach 1,303SQFrl2 BD/2 BAIOFER ED 375K-CASHONV. 2 BD / 2 BA I OFFERED @ $364,900 CASH ONLY! OFFERED @ $329K CASH ONLY! OFFERED AT $329,900 CASH ONLY! Direct water views from both bedrooms and living/ Chic condo providing urban and downtown Single story, 3 BD / 2 BA on 2nd-level with single- Ocean front building with ocean views f dining. Condo features high ceilings, dark-oak views plus distant oceans views to the south from car garage In gated community. The Preserve and photo shows actual westerly Inter-c stained wood floors and crown molding throughout this corer 11-line at Quantum. Condo on a high- Townhomes Condos are close to both Aventura, and Bay views from the condo. Well as well as granite counters and S/S appliances In an floor with many upgrades Including marble floors Downtown Miami, and the Beaches. Great for building on the Ocean. Over 1,300 SC extra spacious kitchen. Only $287/SF for waterfront! and modern kitchen. Great for owner-occupant investors. When rented at $2,100/month, the low space in this 2 BD & 2 BA unit in need u| Investors Great investment rented at $2,200/ Quantum is a full service building including cable maintenance fees and taxes provide for just under service building with pool souna gvm. re: and internet. a 5% cash-on-cash return. 24 hr security. 1 covered parking space 'om balcony coastal water maintained SFT of living dating. Full stauront and included. - BRIAN CARTER, A. BROKER ASSOCIATE 1h cell 305 582 2424 I btcarter@maiesticproperties.com scan for the hottest collection of B homes, condominiums and commercial properties in south florida. l 305 398 7888 I majesticproperties.com To join Majestic Properties please contact: Judith Corcos @ 305 677 5009 I judith@majesticmiami.com I www.joinmajestic.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com month! September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com JAD OEAI*SNN ILS T r---W SIi iMJp '~ Mi Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Winn Dixie Anchored Shopping Center For Sale In Florida The property was built in 2004. It is in excellent condition. It benefits from strong income and population growth and no nearby competition. Winn Dixie's lease runs through April 2024. Winn Dixie occupies 37,673 square feet, and also oc- cupies a liquor store of 3,200 square feet, which in total is approximately 74%o of the center. Contact info@SunnyRealty.com or call 1.877.368.2318 Offering Price: $8.45M with assumable non-recourse loan 55,273 SF (Leaseable Space) (15 Suites) retail strip center in Clay County, FL. NOI: $659,600 Contact us to discuss other commercial investment opportunities M E :C.S YOU ID i !]T LIJ I "M B B i EL E A - Sepemer202 iscyn Tme ww.Bscynfiesco September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Commentary: LETTERS Letters Continued from page 12 business practices. I don't describe Walmart as evil. That's not a word I toss around casually as an adjective. I'm opposed to a big Walmart in Midtown because it's too big, and I also think that mammoth size might be detrimental to neighboring Wynwood. I would not object to a Walmart "Neigh- borhood Market," which is smaller. As Grant Stern indicates, "many have worked hard" to make Midtown and Wynwood what they are now. Changes can happen, of course, but shouldn't we at least try not to mess up? John Chellino Miami Walmart: Loathed by the Left, Loved by the Left Out I've read countless articles and letters to the editor about the coming apocalypse - namely, Walmart at Midtown Miami. I end up reading the same arguments over and over again, and I'm dumbfound- ed as to how blatantly racist people are. Not in our neighborhood! We don't want those kind of people in our little slice of hipster heaven. So who is the Walmart shopper? Mi- norities! Blacks and Hispanics! Low-in- comers on government programs. In other words, the base of the Democratic Party. So I am always puzzled as to why the Left hates Walmart so much. Where do they want these people to shop, Whole Foods-Apple-Nordstrom's? Yes, the caring Left is so very con- cerned about the downtrodden, but only from a distance as they sip their lattes at Starbucks, reading on their iPad about our unfair society, all the while disavowing the majority of their base. I hope Walmart opens and opens soon. I am a Walmart shopper and am tired of schlepping all the way up to 163rd Street. In this day and age, who wants to get price-gouged when you can buy the same goods and services in a clean and friendly environment for a lot less money. And that's not to mention all the jobs that Walmart will bring to the area. Pity those Lefty store and restaurant owners who only want a specific kind of customer roaming the sacred liberal grounds of Midtown Miami. Welcome, Walmart! Let the fire- works begin! Bobbi Fendi Miami Shores Walmart: As Prices Rise, Success Is Guaranteed I read "The Devil's Merchant" and must say that we would love to have a Walmart in our Midtown area and avoid a 20-mile trip to shop at their nearest store, where the varieties and prices beat all other merchants and recently, all others grocery stores. Prices in Miami are already very high, and they going up, especially at Publix. As for Target, where I have shopped many times well, compared to Walmart they are almost a small retailer with very limited products and almost nothing when it comes to clothes for kids and adults. Also, Target's employees at the Midtown store are aggressive and careless. I invite Biscayne Times readers to visit others stores and compare, as I have done. You'll find that Walmart will be welcome in Midtown Miami and it will be a big success. Karl de Borbon Edgewater Goodbye Grass, Hello Ylang Ylang I loved Jim Harper's article about reject- ing grass lawns ("Taking a Pass on Grass," August 2012), and now I feel I've been redeemed. I thought I was alone in my Belle Meade neighborhood of leaf blowers, weed wackers, lawn mowers, and big rigs not to mention the horrible pesticide and herbi- cide poisoning that goes on. Most people are in denial about that. How many animals are getting cancer from this poisoning regimen? And what is this poison runoff doing to the waters of Biscayne Bay? When I remove ficus or other inva- sive species, I find that the indigenous and endemic plants in my garden do fine. In the gardening world, this is called natural gardening, neo-vernacular style, wild gardening, picturesque, journey gardening, new American gardening, or the current term: Zeroscape. I take my lead from a wonderful Belle Meade garden at a home that proudly dis- plays a "wildlife certification" sign out front. The money saved from planting this type of natural, low-upkeep garden (I assume it could run into the thousands of dollars a year), can be invested in wonderful plants that bloom so beautifully here, many of them with incredible fragrances, such as the ylang ylang tree and the joy tree. Bill Clark Belle Meade Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Ml44 I it-- F A #4i rH September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com I f: - I . September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com closets | sliding doors | room dividers | murphy beds | home offices We design for you. Bring us your ideas, custom designs, floor plans or blueprints. More space place specifies the needs of your project design; manufactures and install it for you. We offer you solutions. more b lace' www. morespaceplacemiami.com 18153 Biscayne Blvd. Aventura FL, 33160 (305) 792 5060 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Cii~' *II"'Y: I. shades I draperies I blinds I panels I lighting I home automation We are a point of supply for the architectural and design community offering the latest innovative designs in a wide range of materials and finishes presented in the most cutting edge architectural and 3D software www.Isamiami.com 18153 Biscayne Blvd. Aventura FL, 33160 (305) 333 1606 September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Commentary: MIAMI'S KING The Truth About August Elections Yes, voter turnouts are always low, but devious politicians love them By Jack King BT Contributor outh Florida elections always fasci- nate me, but not for the right reasons. Example: the countywide election on August 14. First, why did we even have an election in the middle of August, when many people are away on vacation? Only 20 percent of the electorate even bothered to vote. In some areas, the turnout was impressive. Precinct 295 in Miami Gardens, with 1192 registered voters, saw a turnout of 37 percent. But quite a few places had a turnout of less than ten percent, the biggest loser being Precinct 458 (west Miami-Dade), where there are 127 registered voters. Turnout: 1. There were some glaring examples of questionable absentee ballots being cast. In more than a few races, the number of absentee ballots nearly equaled the votes cast on Election Day and during early voting. This certainly doesn't pass the smell test. We also had quite a few contested races for county and circuit court judge- ships. The problem was who to vote for. It used to be that the local bar associa- tion would rate the candidates based on their judicial and legal experience. They still do it sort of. You can find the ratings on the Dade County Bar Association website, but they are not widely distributed, a result, I suspect, of the extremely political nature of judicial races. No doubt we need a better way to pick our judges. Speaking of picking, the Tampa Bay Times reported that 38 state legislators have been sent to Tallahassee without any opposition. So much for the political system in Florida. It's so bad that no one wants to run for elective office. The clear star of this year's electoral cycle will be state Rep. Eric Fresen, who is running for a third term. He represents a west Coral Gables district, which was specifically gerrymandered for him so he'd have no viable opponents. Fresen's rap sheet...er, bio...includes a $30,000 IRS tax lien, an election ethics complaint, being dumped as chairman of the Miami-Dade Republican Party for raiding the bank account, and a mortgage foreclosure on his house. The foreclosure may be the most interesting. His mother bought the house, mortgaged it to the hilt, and signed it over to him. Then, when the bank came after him for nonpayment, he signed it back to her. What a guy! He's known in the Florida legislature as the go-to guy who can get anything done as long as you have enough money. He was the front man for the char- ter school business, and more recently, shilled for the gambling interests that are trying to bring casinos to Biscayne Bay. With the casino guys, he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, but we've not seen the last of them. They will be back. On the national political scene, our newly rising star in gutter politics David Rivera: Why is this man smilin! is the one and only U.S. Rep. David Rivera. Elected two years ago and now running for a second term, his rap sheet is so bad the Republican leader- ship in the House will have nothing to do with him. That generally doesn't bode well for his constituents. He just wiggled out of a lengthy investigation by the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, in which they found he had used campaign contributions for his personal expenses. You'd think that would be enough to send him to the big house for a few years, but he walked away. Turns out that Rivera and his Republican cronies in the Florida House had gamed the system by changing the law on how campaign contributions can be used and shortening the statute of limitations on violations. Now, that's what I call effec- tive legislating! I When he was campaigning in Miami, his entire family was on the payroll, including his mother. There are still many unanswered questions about his campaign expenditures. Recently the FBI opened an investigation into allegations that Rivera secretly funded the campaign of Justin Lamar Sternad, who was running in the Demo- cratic primary against Joe Garcia, Rivera's 2010 opponent. Garcia won the primary handily and will face Rivera in November, an elec- g? tion that will probably be much closer this time. It looks like the feds are on to something this time. While Rivera was in the Florida House, he purchased a home in Tal- lahassee. After several years, the bank that held the mortgage foreclosed on the property. Rivera said it was all a mistake, but he never explained why he hadn't been paying the mortgage. So what is it with Republican politi- cians hiring their mothers and having banks foreclose on their homes? Quite a recurring theme. I never thought of dear old mom and foreclosures being a path to victory, but there must be something to it. A final note: When Rivera was living in his soon-to-be-foreclosed home in Tallahassee, his roomie and bro pal was none other than our other rising star, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. Feedback: letters @biscaynetimes.com Bican TimesIJIL~Ls1lbLE&~~~ www.BiscaynehrJ~:dimesWI~com~ Spebr 201 .: i a 0 1_ _-.1 7Q ] .. IQ T 1 1 . 1. i 1 1 .- I I . Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 F*1111 WV i:."ff A If -.11 t A i H* 11 e"I I I 1a 011 assi F i DO YOU HA VE SLIPPERY FLOORS? souto fo slppr floors inan enion et Benefits * Dramatically reduces the number of slip accidents. * A fraction of the cost of any reliable alternative. * Fast convenient application, no drying or curing time. * No Interruption of business. * Effective under dry, wet and even greasy conditions. * Single application guaranteed for 5 years. * Applications include granite, marble, ceramic, concrete, terrazo, limestone, travertine and more... AVOID SUPS cRATE AND FALLS SUP-ESTACN SURFACES ELIMINATE LAWSUITS 305.687.3773 INFO@SLIPSTOPFLORIDA.COM WWW.SLIPSTOPFLORIDA.COM September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Commentary: URBANIA All About the Weather, All the Time The subtropics have spoiled us rotten and we couldn't be happier By Christian Cipriani BT Contributor The many cultures of South Florida coexist like tectonic plates under constant heat and pressure, and it's a wonder we don't have more explosions. But one thing that binds us together is a near constant obsession with our weather. They say the English talk about the weath- er a lot, but I think we have them beat. Weather is one of the defining features of our experience here, and it doesn't escape conversation even for a day. Violence and weather are what tend to land South Florida in national news. Tropical Storm Isaac came and went with- out much fanfare, and as I write this, it's making its way toward New Orleans as a Category 1 hurricane. All summer the media have been alive with reports on the 20-year anniversary of Hurricane Andrew. I wasn't living here then, but the people I know who were all have an Andrew story, and they inevitably conclude with the disaster bringing out the best in everyone. I got my first real taste of catastro- phe when Hurricane Wilma arrived in 2005. As we surveyed the damage the next morning, I was struck more by the neighbors talking, offering help, and cooperating than I was by the oak tree lying sideways across three cars. I'd never seen most of these people before that morning, and once power was restored, they would fade back into their daily lives. Disaster does bring out camarade- rie, and the citizens of South Florida need that more than any place I've been. When Isaac approached last month, I just happened to be leaving town, and as I sat in Pittsburgh on an unusually sunny weekend, following Facebook photos of trees bending in the wind, I reflected on how weather has shaped my life. Like many transplants, I grew up in the north, with four full seasons. In the dead of winter, the sun faded to dusk by 4:30 p.m. and temperatures could drop below zero. By July the thermometer hovered in the 90s, and we'd stay out until the 8:30 sunset catching fireflies. Northern weather wore on me. It's a physically schizophrenic way to live and I knew one day I'd end up in the sunshine. From clothing to routines, up north you just need more of everything. The few good memories I have are of skiing, autumn leaves, fireplaces, and the comforting way that distinct seasons can slow time. The punishment for living in paradise is that years flip by with cruel speed. When I first moved to South Florida, I used to go to the beach year-round. To me, it was always beautiful outside, the water always perfect. I was an excitable tourist on permanent vacation. What's the difference between 72 degrees and 82? May and November? It took years for me to tune into subtle shifts in weather and adapt my lifestyle accordingly. More happens down here between January and December than I ever imagined possible: mid-60s to low 90s, cool to hot, dry to wet, crisp to humid, clear to buggy, and on it goes. I now have more ways to mark our seasons than art and music events. But over seven years I've also grown spoiled. Now I don't go to the beach unless it's perfect the sun, air, water, day of the week, and time of day must all align. I've driven home because I can't find a good parking spot on South Beach, and in my head I see myself at age 12 waiting for the bus. It's dark and freezing. The street is covered in filthy snow, and I'm staring incredulously at a man sitting in an air-conditioned car driving away from a white-sand beach because he can't bring himself to walk a couple of blocks. These days happen. We curse the heat. We whine about rain. We skip the boat because of clouds. But my worst day in Miami is still pretty good, and I'm always grateful for sunshine. That we live in one of the sunniest places on earth is worth smiling about every day of the year. It's not a complete explanation, but I blame lack of sunshine in Pennsyl- vania and England for extended periods of listlessness when I was younger. I once heard a radio interviewer ask a Swedish author if her country's endless nights drive more people to suicide. I found her explanation fascinating. She said Scandinavian happiness is re- nowned, and that Swedes don't commit more suicide they're just more honest about it. Religious guilt causes people in other cultures to lie and cover up suicide, but Swedes, she said, are not ashamed. This hurricane season may pass uneventfully, or it may bring violent storms that drive us from silent, black rooms and into the streets ready to help our neighbors. But right now we can be thankful, because we know that the story always ends the same; another long and beautiful winter will come to fix what- ever went wrong. Feedback: letters@obiscaynetimes.com Ascot Teak Furniture 12951 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami Ph: 305-892-1231 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 .lbi xu L I f ekwo atFACTORYPRICES M~~cotBefkiBBmfixom Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 I * fI.1' 1 I LIII ? I~' a rUK /ILL VruK KrCJL C311IC /rCLJ3 Al 0qqHiJ - f . M- A l Beautilul updated 2 story %a terlront home % ith 2 car garage and dock space for up to so FT yacht Wood & marble floors thru-out. All nei marble patio and remodeled pool. Large ima-ter suite \% tli stting room. Gorgeou- eat-in kitchen. Hurricane impact windows and doors thru-out. New S tile roof. Wet bar & large family room. Ocean access and no fixed bridges to Haulover Inlet. EASTERN SHORES 5 BR 7 % BTH PLUS MAIDS QUARTERS / DIRECT ON WIDE WATER EASTERN SHORES TH 3 eR 2 '/z BTH Large point lot waterfront Mediterranean style home in guard-gated community. Over 6,300 Large updated townhouse on the water sf under air. Hugh master suite with separate his and her bath. 220 ft of waterfront and 80 ft with approx 30ft boat dock. 10,000 pound dock in place. Heated pool and spa. Marble floors downstairs & wood upstairs. High ceilings, boat elevator in place and included. Ocean Game Room, Wet Bar. Ocean access. Located just minutes & no fixed bridges to Haulover Inlet. access & no fixed bridge to Haulover Inlet. KEYSTONE POINT 5 on 4 BTH PRICED FOR QUICK SALE 5 bedroom 4 bath waterfront pool home. 75 FT on water with direct ocean access, no fixed bridges and minutes to Haulover Inlet. 24 Hour Guard-Gated Community. EASTERN SHORES 2 BR 2 BTH Great Wide-Bay / Intracoastal views. 30FT boat dock space included with sale of this unit. Direct Ocean Access, No fixed bridges to Haulover Inlet. Just 2 minutes to beach. POINCIANA ISLAND 3 BR 2 1/ BTH Rare Opportunity to own on Poinciana Island with direct Intracoastal views. This 2 story unit is on Private Island just across the street from the ocean. Tennis, Gym, Pool and more. September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com |l|o w l MIjJU !Ig JC l I-JIll LrL3.95.00 September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Commentary: MY VIEW Once and Future Metropolis Miami is finally becoming a city but not for the first time By Craig Chester Special to the BT Miami is finally becoming a real city. That's a phrase you might have heard with increasing frequency lately. Coupled with its sister line: "Miami is finally growing up." These ex- pressions represent the notion that Miami is cultivating the amenities worthy of a world-class urban destination. Presumably, when people conjure ideas of a "real" city, they imagine a downtown urban core full of vitality, ef- ficient public transportation, art and cul- tural, signature parks and public spaces, a dynamic mix of businesses, a center for entrepreneurship and innovation, and a hub for a regional economy. By those measures, Miami is in fact beginning to fall into the category of "real city." We now have a Metrorail link to the airport, a booming arts scene, and new downtown cultural attractions like the Adrienne Arsht Center and the Miami Art Museum under construction. Lights are glowing in the towering condos, and new stores and restaurants are opening daily. But the idea that Miami is "growing up" and "becoming" a real city implies that it's never been one perpetually lacking the qualities of other important places around the world. Nothing could be further from the truth. To see what a "real city" looks like, we only need to see the Miami of the past. Let's begin with a modern Miami gripe: public transportation. Did you know that Miami once had among the most extensive streetcar (rail) trolley networks in the developed world? In the era of the Miami streetcar, from 1916 to 1940, Miami boasted 11 trolley lines that crisscrossed the county from Miami Beach to the City of Miami and even down to Coral Gables. Be- tween the streetcars and Henry Flagler's FEC railroad that linked Miami with the rest of Florida, rail coverage in Miami in the 1920s dwarfed what we have in 2012. You read that correctly. In 1925 you could hop aboard a trolley and ride over the County Causeway (now the MacArthur) to Miami Beach That line was torn out in 1939. If it existed today, not only would it represent a sorely needed transportation link, but it would certainly be one of the nation's fore- most transit-oriented tourist attractions. Back on the mainland, the Coral Gables Rapid Transit Electric Line took riders from downtown Miami to Miracle Mile in 12 minutes, at speeds close to 75 miles per hour along Coral Way. The year was 1925. In the 1920s, downtown Miami underwent a revolution. The city's population in 1920 was 30,000. By 1925, annexations and real estate speculation had swelled it to more than 100,000. With newfound wealth pouring in, all the trappings of more celebrated cites soon followed world-class shopping and entertainment, luxurious hotels, and a landmark public space: Bayfront Park, which was once quite grand. With each passing season, returning visi- tors would remark that Miami had "grown - -- ...- ._._ . As this undated vintage postcard shows, downtown Miami once bustled with trolleys, cars, bikes, and shoppers. like magic," and thus Miami's commonly known moniker was born- the Magic City. So when did Miami begin to lose its magic? What caused the decline that stripped it of its status as a real city? In short, the development pattern we call suburbanization wreaked havoc on the heart of the city. The damage was nearly fatal, and we've only now begun the healing process. The incessant westward march of suburbia in Miami after World War II had many unintended consequences. As people fled the central city in favor of new homes on former swampland, businesses followed them. Downtown ceased to be a hub of retail activity, which shifted to suburban shopping malls and the ubiqui- tous, auto-oriented strip malls that now flank our roadways throughout the county. As automobile commuting became the norm, downtown Miami was utterly recalibrated to accommodate the soaring number of suburbanites who came to work each morning in cars. The disas- trous effects of this transformation are quite visible today. The final Miami streetcar line was torn out in 1940. Entire blocks of downtown buildings (that today would be considered historic) were leveled to create vast parking lots and garages. The landscaped medians of Biscayne Boulevard were paved over. A once thriving nearby neighborhood, Over- town, was literally purchased and razed so 1-95 could skirt downtown Miami, a traumatic dismantling from which the com- munity has never recovered. By the 1970s, downtown had com- pleted its degeneration from a bustling cosmopolitan center to little more than an asphalt conduit to a string of bland office towers surrounded by a patchwork of on-ramps, expressways, and park- ing lots. By 5:00 p.m. each day, it was deserted. The magic had vanished. It's a sad story, but it just might have a happy ending. Today there is new interest and major investment in Miami's urban core, after our misadventures in suburbia. Be- tween the housing crash and a younger "Millennial" generation rediscovering the pleasures of walkable communities (and rejecting the long car commutes of their parents), the energy, wealth, and accompanying amenities are returning to urban Miami. Yes, we are becoming a real city - only it's not for the first time. Feedback: letters@ibbiscaynetimes.com 1I0 N 1 A: 862 NE1Ae 1920's two story Mediterra- nean gem. 5/4 + 2 car gar. 3,600 S.F. Wood Floors, fire- place, screened porch. 3 zone A/C. On Historic Register Charming & cozy 2/1. Fla. room, Carport, Eat-in Kitchen. Newer Tile roof. Big fenced yard. Quiet street. Short Sale. Best Buy! Custom built 2/2.5. One block from the bay. Over 2,300 S.F. Great Room w/fireplace. Eat-in kitchen. Corner lot. Two car garage DUFFY REALTY www.duffyrealty.com Patrik L.Duff '-', 5 -9 7) -4 ( ._ Like new warehouse in central N. Dade location. 1-95 visibility. 20' ceiling 2,700 S.F. + 300 S.F. mezzanine. Office + 2 baths. Liberal zoning. Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 1 80NW98St Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Each Skagen table is as unique as the tree it came from. The slab top sits on a stainless steel base for a natural, modern aesthetic. Stocked in a variety of sizes: Dining 84" or 108"L Console 60" or 84"L Coffee Table 84"L End Table 23.5"SQ Designed by Mother Nature. Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Our Sponsors BizBuzz: September 2012 Sales, special events, and more from the people who make Biscayne Times possible By Pamela Robin Brandt BT Contributor september: Even if we live to the age of famed writer Marjory Stoneman Douglas (108 years old all but the first 25 years as a Miamian), we'll never stop associating this month primarily with the start of school, right after Labor Day. Which, to a kid, seemed fitting. We, of course, thought the holiday's name referred to the nine months of jail-type hard labor we were about to serve. For grown-ups, in reality, the end of summer vacation can mean the begin- ning of a huge range of exciting possibil- ities, especially if you live in BT territory. Whether you want to start a whole new career or to just start having more fun, advertisers are offering so many ways to help improve your life that you'd think New Year's Day came in September. For some readers, actually, it does. September 17 is Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year, and start of a ten- day period through Yom Kippur when worshippers do "an accounting of the soul." To prepare yourself for the High Holy Days, Temple Israel (137 NE 19th St., 305-573-5900) is offering several free evening programs. On September 5 and 12, from 7:00-9:00 p.m., experi- ence "Connection, Reflection & Con- versations," a rabbi-guided exploration of texts and traditions, plus discussions of the essence of personal change. And on September 8, from 10:00-11:00 p.m. there's Selichot, a meditative service; preceding the latter, at 7:30 p.m., there's family-friendly programming, a dessert reception and text study. Meanwhile the spiritually focused and reality-conscious folks at First United Methodist Church (400 Biscayne Blvd., 305-371-4706), aware that Septem- ber is the start of regular football season, gently remind readers that there's plenty of time to hit the church's 11:00 a.m. ser- vices before the Dolphins' Sunday home games this month. We wouldn't dream of being so crass as to add that the team sure could use a few prayers considering its preseason record... Just saying. For those whose spirituality is more alternative culture, Inner Balance Mind Body Studio (12579 Biscayne Blvd., 786-383-3088) has an offer that'll build both your soul and career dreams. The studio's 200-hour yoga teacher training course, a ten-week program (meeting Wednesday evenings plus Saturday and Sunday afternoons) starts on October 6 and BT readers get a whopping $100 discount. Call or visit www.inner balancemindbody.com for more info. If your dream of a new life is focused on a new place to live, say hello to Scott R. Dinin (595 NE 69th St., 786-431-1333), a full-service Realtor and licensed broker. He's also longtime advertiser Scott R. Dinin, a lawyer particularly passionate about seeking justice for clients having trouble with insurance companies, banks, credit card companies, and similar prob- lematic parties. The words "Renaissance man" come to mind. Joann Hennessey of Civil Justice Advocates (which has offices in Fort Lauderdale and Delray as well as 620 NE 76th St. in Miami; 305-200-5115) congrat- ulates associate Kunal Mirchandani for a very successful first year with CJA, a firm that helps homeowners fight against foreclosure. Mirchandani joined CJA after working for big banks and becoming frustrated with their practices; this insider knowledge has led to his successful results for clients, says Hennessey. Some home problems are easier to solve than others. Welcome new adver- tiser SlipStop Florida (305-687-3773), whose anti-slip treatments are the solution to stopping accidents caused by slippery floors marble, ceramic tile, and more. Application is fast; there's no curing time, and the treatment is effective whether floors are dry, wet, or even greasy. If your housing problems are more in the category of bad interior d6cor, another former big bank adviser can help out with that: Anil Kakar, whose Kakar House of Design (305-756-6363) just opened earlier this year at Antiques Plaza (8650 Biscayne Blvd., #23). The shop sells a wide arry of InnerBalance MIND L Y trSTUD10 Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training starts Oct. 61 www.innerbalancemindbody.com 12579 Biscayne Blvd. N. Miami, FL 33181 786.383.3088 luxe vintage, MiMo, and eclectic d6cor col- lected from all corners of the world. Dave Widdas at 360 Furniture Consignments reports that 360's "summer super sale" was such a huge success that the store has been cleared out and re- stocked with hot, high-end modern design- er pieces from Giovanni Erba, Christopher Guy, and more. And deals continue, for BT readers; mention us for a 20% discount. To get your yard looking good, call new advertiser Bob's Lawnmower (15270 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-947-3578), a venerable family-owned and operated business that sells and repairs... you guessed it. What the name doesn't tell you is that Bob's also services other gas-fueled machines emergency generators (reminder: we're only halfway through hurricane season), and more. Looking for a fun evening out that also benefits others? Mark your calendar for September 29, 7:30 p.m., at North Miami Beach's Julius Littman Theater (17011 NE 19th Ave.), when "Five Cul- tures in Opera" will be presented by the Onyx Opera, a nonprofit organization that creates performance opportunities for classical singers and musicians, especially those of color. Part of the $30-$40 ticket Continued on page 28 Yoga Barre Pilates Gyrokinesist. V Kids Yoga Pre/Postnatal Yoga Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.comSeptember 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 I). *4 *..f U' ,.T :1I 3 -v r7 .FewI r 4CT *" 14 September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com -;-* September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Our Sponsors: SEPTEMBER 2012 *Jnmn IINI REML ESTATE Sca R DIlM Erkr lawyer MIA Rear MMU M r. te MI WIIfi-- *O B Du HK so Dt am l OL, IL t&--- InS m aNI Mlnra mm nra m 331B 0af 3 e rens/2 Dam I#s Im a Lr iud Prrutmt IM mu IsItesaII l~'i "L MY TEAM AND I SHOW YOU )OW WE CAN"' "* present yo in yor uruhad PWtve your inwelnent Market vyr puperty to Btws Vwkidwde MImw sflrt Sols Martl dwYnaw Me-CUI Ycr Satisfction Isoir Top Pricrity Pkvidirng Exoedlent Cusnner Service is ur Goal Scoa R. Dirii PA /Scott R. Oin Brker BizBuzz Continued from page 26 price goes to worthy charities. Looking for a fun way to get wher- ever you're going that also benefits Miami's environment? Check out the City of Miami's new car-sharing pro- gram, a partnership between the Miami Parking Authority and car2go (miami. car2go.com). It's easy to use one of the program's 240 eco-friendly and very cute "Smart Fortwo" cars: Register for membership; locate the nearest available car within the city on your smartphone or laptop; swipe your membership card; drive wherever; then park at any legal parking space within the city, swiping again. You pay for the time between swipes, period. Parking, gas, mainte- nance, and cuteness factor are free. Don't fret, all you pre-adults. For the artistically inclined among you, North Miami's Museum of Contemporary Art (770 NE 125th St., 305-893-6211) is offering free after-school programs for middle school and high school students. MOCA's weekly classes range from the classic (painting, drawing, photography) to fashion design or hip-hop art and culture. An application is required from attendees; visit www.mocanomi.org. For young musicians, early-child- hood music classes at Miss Jane's Music Studio (305-757-6500) begin September 4. And we do mean "young" musicians. As well as group keyboard lessons for first and second graders, plus group guitar for third to fifth graders, Jane Spinney teaches pre-schoolers, toddlers, even newborns. Visit www.miss janesmusic.com for a full, fascinating explanation of the Musikgarten method. There's also a convenient new retail component at Miss Jane's. For sale are a variety of children's instruments, sheet music, and accessories guitar tuners, music stands, more. To perk up school lunches, forget the PB&J; instead tuck a treat from Bagels & Company (111 ,4 Biscayne Blvd., 305- 892-2435) into your kid's book bag. As well as hand-rolled bagels, David Cohen's place has a full menu of classic deli delights, including one pound sandwiches (fresh-roasted turkey, imported ham, roast beef, more) nearly big enough to share with the whole class. See this issue's ad, too, for several dine-in coupon deals. An invitation to graduates of Monsignor Edward Pace High School (15600 NW 32nd Ave.): Come to the annual Alumni Bash on September 28, starting at 5:30 p.m. The $15 ticket price except for Pace Alumni As- sociation members, who get in free - includes food, drink, music, a ceremony honoring this year's Hall of Fame inductees, and admission to a football game between Pace's Spartans and Gulliver Prep's Raiders. Not included: studying or homework. For more info contact Letty Torres at 305-623-PACE, extension 213. The Miami Downtown Development Authority wants you to know there's fun for the whole family at DWNTWN Art Days, September 6-8. Events range from gallery and artists' studio tours to a kickball match and children's theater. See this issue's ad, or visit DWNTWNartdays. com for a full schedule. Thank the City of Miami Beach for the September 19 Food Truck & Music Fest, an evening of free live entertain- ment featuring Marlow Rosado's nine- piece band. The family-friendly fun is scheduled for 5:00-10:00 p.m. happening at the North Shore Band shell (Collins Ave. and 73rd St., in North Beach). Savvy neighborhood developers know one of the first things that turns a desolate area into a draw is unique food/ drink establishments. If you thought 10th Street and N. Miami Avenue was iffy the last time you were there after dark, you mustn't have been there since The Corner (1035 N. Miami Ave. #101, 305-961-7887), a new advertiser, opened on that corner. You'll find classic and creative cocktails, plus scintillating sandwiches and snacks, not only late at night but till morning's light; the cozy spot is open Tuesday-Thursday till 5:00 a.m., Friday and Saturday till 8:00 a.m. And a longtime locals' favorite for dining till dawn (well, almost 3:00 a.m.) has just been recognized by Esquire maga- zine as one of the two dozen best late-night food spots in the USA. Congratulations to Yakko-san (3881 NE 163rd St., 305-947- 0064), and its scrumptious menu of home- style Japanese small plates! On a smaller scale, but exciting news nonetheless: Friendly neighborhood sandwich shop Hippo Bites (1071 NE 79th St., 305-677-3633) finally got their boba machine! For those unfamiliar with bubble tea, a phenomenon in Asia, it's hard to explain what's so much fun about slurping these fruit and/or dairy-en- hanced drinks, which also contain large tapioca "pearls," through clownishly large straws. You must try it yourself. Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 What's French food without wine? Not the typical dining experience you'd find at any classic bistro in France, for sure, or during September, at Miami's own French Riviera bistro La Cigale (7281 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-0014). See this issue's ad for a free glass of wine with every dinner order. We doubtless needn't tell you to join us in welcoming new advertiser Shoku- do (4740 NE 2nd Ave., 305-758-7782). From the folks behind longtime Lincoln Road stalwart World Resource Caf6, this brand-new venture, which has a much more relaxed ambiance (like an exotic beachfront eatery, with a backyard instead of a beach) is already an instant hit. See this issue's "Dish" column and Dining Guide for more details. Also see Shokudo's ad for food photos so scrump- tious you won't need to read anything. Celebrating its 62nd year in business, Laurenzo's Italian Market (16385 W Dixie Hwy., 305-945-6381) will be throw- ing an in-store San Gennaro Festival, from September 13-26. Featured: free cooking demonstrations and tasting of the most celebrated Italian-American dishes from all over the USA, including versions of signa- ture regional pizzas (Chicago's deep dish, New Haven's "apizza," and more). Go to www.laurenzosmarket.com for a schedule. With South Florida's growing season starting next month, The Market Com- pany (themarketcompany.org) is adding to its existing roster of farmers markets with a new green market in a new downtown green space, Flatiron Park (1001 S. Miami Ave.). The market will start in October. For vendor information: 305-531-0038. Several other advertisers are also giving readers a chance to plan ahead for events happening next month, even into next year. Tickets are now on sale, for instance, for the fabulous 72nd season of the Florida Grand Opera, which begins in November and features four all-time favorite operas: La Boheme, The Magic Flute, La Sonnambula, and La Traviata. Single tickets start at just $11. Go to www.FGO.org, where you can buy tix and choose the seats you want. Tickets are also on sale for "The Broadway Tenors" kick-off concert of the season at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center (3385 NE 188th St., 305-466-8002), on November 9. Visit www.aventuracenter. org for details on this show, starring three award-winning Broadway leading men, and on other 2012-2013 productions. Neither neighborhood businesses nor neighborhood residents will want to miss the October 17 Small Business Fair, pro- duced by new advertiser Nicole A. Waters, whose own business has the catchy moni- ker Local Waters. "Career navigator" Waters has chosen a max fun networking environment the Villa 21 bar (221 NE 17th St.). Featured at the event, which runs from 4:00-9:00 p.m., will be product dis- plays, raffles, a DJ, and more. Businesses must register in advance for a booth; call 786-302-0450 for info. It takes a lot of time to create a good zombie costume. That's why we're let- ting you know now about the October 20 Zombie Crawl, brought to you by the Shops at Midtown Miami. Tick- ets, available in three price categories, enable partiers to crawl the route of des- ignated zombie-friendly Midtown estab- lishments from 7:30-11:30 p.m., in search of free booze and bites. For details visit www.southfloridazombiecrawl.com. If your fall plans involve looking pretty much the opposite of zombielike, welcome new advertiser Danny Dillon Shampology (2690 NE 2nd Ave., 305- 588-4142). The salon offers a full range of hair services, plus skin and nail treatments that'll have you glowing from head to toes. Mention the BT this month for any of the following discounts with select stylists: 20% off hair coloring, a $25 blowout, a $50 express facial, a $35 mani/pedi. After reading all the above, you've got to be smiling, right? Make sure it's a smile that dazzles by making an ap- pointment with Soltanik Dental (2999 NE 191st St. #359, 305-466-2334). Dr. Valeria Soltanik's ad offers a new-patient special, and she has a "BizBuzz" offer, too: a Nite Guard (which prevents tooth- grinding), custom made for only $150. Don't forget Fido! The family dog deserves star treatment, as new adver- tiser Star Dog (55 SW llth St., 305-374- 2210) recognizes. This family-owned, friendly neighborhood pet store special- izes in top quality organic dog foods - dry, canned, and even raw (frozen). Do drop in, also, to new advertiser Legitimutt (192 NW 36th St., 305-438- 4385). The unique draw is the Legitmutt line of luxury dog fashions, designed by supermodel Kristy Hinze Clark. You know your dog craves a strikingly col- ored Italian leather collar, and perhaps a designer raincoat for the remainder of South Florida's storm season. \.N ,,. rii,,i special coming up atyour busi- ness? Send info to bizbuzz@biscaynetimes. com. For BT advertisers only. September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Pn 5W fqWg. 9 A* i w.lt - t3 IB~J CINEMA Sponsored by SKnight Sundation BISCAYNEJW Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Ijtaa `"Trri' 1-1 ^i Ulqt^~ ^*^<*.l' S ~ lj ` ^K " Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 I M, LA PLAYA PROPERTY ES PH: 305.672.0773 WWW.LAPLAYA-PROPERTIES.COM 3bed / 2.5bath 2,081 Sq.Ft. e * II 2bed / 2.5bath 1,050 Sq.Ft. Far It e i e d **s S iS/co u l re e f l h b I 3bed / 2bath 1,403 S .Ft. 3bed / 2bath 1,150 SQ.Ft. i l .n A 601 NE 23 S 1 0 MIAMI= 170 *~. St Mh IA I If you are looking to buy, sell, or rent your property call us at g LaPlayaMiami O a Playa Properties Group @LaPlayaMiami 305-672-0773 La Playa Properties Group, Inc. 2275 Biscayne Blvd. Ste 1, Miami, FL 33137 LaPlaya@LaPlaya-Properties.com 0.I LA PLAYA PROPERTIES t a^^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com ................................................. ............................... .II... . . ............................................................ .................................^ ^ B i .................................^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ B^ ^^ H^ ^^ ^^ ^^~ f LOST A RISING SEA Reality check: One day in the foreseeable future, most homes and businesses along the Biscayne Corridor will be under water BY ERIK BOJNANSKY Photo illustrations by Marcy Mock he world will be a very different place 50 years from now. Thanks in large part to cen- turies of spewing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, we can expect higher temperatures, unstable weather patterns, and rising seas. For all who live or work in the Biscayne Corridor, those rising seas will pose unprecedented challenges, many of which we'll be forced to confront soon, in our lifetimes. But imagine for a moment the scene in the year 2062. Broad expanses of land Aven- tura, Eastern Shores, Biscayne Landing, Arch Creek East, Keystone Point, Sans Souci Estates will flood frequently and severely. Farther south, eastern Miami Shores will be inundated, as will most of Sho- recrest, Belle Meade, Bayside, Morning- side, and Edgewater. The Miami River, the Little River, and the Oleta River will overflow their banks and flood surrounding neighbor- hoods. Much of Brickell will look like a new bay. Downtown landmarks such as the Freedom Tower, the American Airlines Arena, Museum Park, and the Adrienne Arsht Center will be islands in a vastly expanded Biscayne Bay. Communities like North Bay Village, Bay Harbor Islands, the Venetian Islands, Star, Palm, and Hibiscus islands, as well as South Beach, will be substantially under water. This the conceivable future of the Biscayne Corridor should we experience a two-foot rise in sea level, a scenario local climatologists say is distinctly possible. "Most projections say this is going to happen," asserts Leonard Berry, director of the Center for Environmental Studies at Florida Atlantic University. "The difference [in scientific opinion] is the timing and how rapidly." More detailed information is expected next year, when the United Miami's Upper Eastside, like Aventura and South Brickell, will be swamped by just a two-foot sea-level rise. Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change releases a new report on global warming. Until then, the best estimates are that by 2030, Biscayne Bay and the near-shore ocean (they'll rise simultaneously) will be between three and seven inches higher than they are today. By 2060 sea level is projected to rise between nine inches and two feet. The bay and ocean won't stop rising at nine inches or two feet, either. "By the end of the century, a little under 100 years from now, there could be four to six feet or more of sea level rise above the present sea level," says Harold Wanless, chairman of the University of Miami's geological sciences department. With a four-foot rise in sea level, Brickell will be a bathtub, and most neighborhoods east of Biscayne Boule- vard will be either submerged or resem- ble islands. A narrow strip of land will be all that remains of the beaches from South Pointe to Golden Beach. The Keys will, for the most part, disappear. Fort Lauderdale will look like Venice, Italy. With a six-foot rise in sea level, only 44 percent of Miami-Dade County will remain dry at high tide. By this time, says Wanless, sea-level rise will accelerate from the current rate of slightly less than a foot per century to a foot per decade. Wanless fears that the world's seas could rise more than 20 feet if massive amounts of ice from Greenland and Antarctica slip into the ocean. "Ten or twelve years ago, I wouldn't have thought this would happen so fast," Wanless acknowledges. "That was before I was able to see what was hap- pening in Greenland and Antarctica. The rates of [melt acceleration] are phe- nomenal and may be a critical problem for mankind." Florida is particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise. According to the Center for Environmental Studies, of the 4.2 million people in the U.S. who live at an elevation of four feet or less, 2.4 million are in Florida. An added threat: Scien- tists expect the mighty Gulfstream to weaken, which could result in sea levels from Florida to the Carolinas rising ten percent faster than the rest of the world, according to David Enfield, a retired NOAA oceanographer now working for UM as a research scientist. Even though South Florida's future appears bleak, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, dean of University of Miami's School of Architecture, insists that the Bis- cayne Corridor can adapt to sea-level rise with proper planning. "Something is happening," she says. "Whether it is exactly the way scientists are predict- ing is less the point than understanding that there is a change and we need to accommodate it." Toward that end, Monroe, Miami- Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties formed the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact in 2009 to develop plans for dealing with the threat of sea-level rise and other adverse effects of global warm- ing. Serving on the compact's com- mittees have been scientists such as Wanless, Berry, and Enfield, as well as city planners and architects (including Plater-Zyberk), county administrators, state officials, environmentalists, and business leaders. Other strategic efforts are under way. This past June, for example, FAU's Center for Environmental Studies hosted a climate summit in Boca Raton to examine how rising sea levels might affect South Florida and what can be done about it. The summit included a digital video created by FAU associate professor Francis X. McAfee and stu- dents John Michael Wilyat and Jammy Chong. The video uses topographical data and state-of-the-art digital imaging to depict what will happen to downtown Miami as sea levels rise. (To view the video, go to www.ces.fau.edu/SLR2012/ media/animation.) Despite near unanimity among climate scientists that sea levels will rise at an increasingly rapid rate, and that extreme weather will become com- monplace, UM's Wanless complains Continued on page 34 September 2012Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com These maps, created by FIU's Peter Harlem using LiDAR topographical data, depict land surrounding Biscayne Bay at three points in time: Two-foot sea-level rise (left), four-foot sea-level rise (center), and six-foot sea-level rise (right). Areas shaded brown to orange represent higher elevations. Terrain and roadways shaded light blue will be submerged during normal high tides. Rising Sea Continued from page 33 that many people, including politicians, are either skeptical of global warming or ignoring it altogether. "We are living in a very tenuous time right now," he warns. "It is mind-boggling to scientists that people are sticking their heads in the sand." Frank Nero, president and CEO of the Beacon Council, which seeks to in- crease economic development in Miami- Dade County, admits he doesn't hear much talk about sea-level rise during discussions with executives and develop- ers. "I don't think that is on the top of anyone's list, quite frankly," Nero says. "There are other concerns the business community has [about Miami-Dade's future], but I don't think the rise of the oceans is one of them." However, Nero adds, entrepreneurs and corporations in Miami are becoming more environmentally friendly. "The busi- ness community is looking at sustainability and green issues," he says. Those sustain- ability issues include more LEED-certified buildings that reduce energy consumption and leave a smaller carbon footprint. Reducing emissions from fossil fuels could slow the rate of sea-level rise, but it won't prevent it or turn it back. "We have already kicked the bucket," says Wanless. To actually reverse the warm- ing trend, he explains, "We have to get below C02 atmospheric levels back when I was born [1942], and that is Continued on page 36 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Rising Sea Continued from page 34 unbelievably difficult to do." David Enfield says there's now more carbon dioxide (which retains heat in the atmosphere and oceans) in the atmosphere than there has been in the last million years. The United States may have reduced its C02 emissions to the lowest point in 20 years, but the burning of fossil fuels elsewhere on the planet, particularly from India and China, has increased. Adds Wanless: "The bottom line is there are too many people on Earth trying to live a comfortable life." We don't have to wait 50 or 100 years to see the effects of sea-level rise. Even now there are telltale signs, such as coastal floods in low-lying areas at extreme high tide, or the invasion of marine plant species into places where fresh-water vegeta- tion once dominated. According to a 2009 report from the South Florida Water Management District, saltwater is already starting to infiltrate under- ground aquifers the region's primary fj* "''jt?'.I*-. .W ~i- t'r- I 4" .. - . !-., =..'::..,--- ,-- -- - The Edgewater neighborhood near downtown Miami will under water when the sea level rises about two feet. source of freshwater. "We're seeing the evidence," says Peter Harlem, a geologist and mapmaker who works as a researcher at Florida International University's Southeast Environmental Research Center. "We're just not putting it together." Harlem believes sea-level rise will be more obvious 20 or so years from now, when the ocean is about a half-foot higher. In South Dade, areas around Black Point Marina, Turkey Point, and the county's sewage treatment plant will be inundated at high tide. During high tides, Biscayne Bay and the Oleta River will also begin to spill over into low areas in northeast Miami-Dade. And that's without rain. With rain, flooding events will be more extreme as storm drains and other flood-control methods begin to fail. In fact, less than a foot of sea-level rise could mean 50 to 80 percent of the flood-control structures located in Miami-Dade and Broward canals will "have to be looked at," cautions Jayantha Obeysekera, chief engineer for the South Florida Water Management District. That's because the 50-year-old equipment, designed to discharge canal water into the bay following heavy rains, relies on gravity, and there is less than a six-inch difference between the upstream canals and downstream Biscayne Bay. Three flood-control structures serving northeast Miami-Dade are being inspect- ed. Foi no\\ we've not had any flooding issues," Obeysekera says, buth c're concerned for the future." Modifications won't be easy. "There are many options and all of them are expensive," he adds. Continued on page 38 RWM5 PEmE 9 ORU Board Members: Delores Guadagno, Kent Gubrud, Noe Escobar Dr. Brenda Davis, Mr. Ainsworth F. Smith Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 TERRA R E A L T Y I ) -l :1 i 1 Downtown Doral 78 Coconut Grove 1 :1 IN -rth P -.h.-. h, - M -hi, FI, r . I; \ V. 305.379.5000 6.422.6040 305.416.4556 l- i --, S u it! '0 -' " I 33132 .c i September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com :I I :.'d 'i rxalU:i i "i; ,I br0.sC r : "rr Cz ci e i i i" I ~ I I ii rl A r" v* ( i, September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com UM's Harold Wanless: "Ten or twelve years ago, I wouldn't have thought this would happen so fast." Oceanographer David Enfield: "South Florida is probably going to have less rain, but it will come in buckets." Rising Sea Continued from page 36 Ironically, climate models predict that South Florida and the Caribbean will be hotter and drier in the future, says oceanographer Enfield. But there will be monsoons. "By the end of this century, South Florida is probably going to have less rain, but when it does come, it will come in buckets," Enfield explains. "That raises the prospect of street flooding." In some parts of South Florida, that flooding will be long term, notes Harlem: "When they stop draining because there's nowhere for the rainwater to go, they become small freshwater lakes." Fewer tropical storms and hurricanes are expected, but they will be much more powerful. "Instead of seeing two Category 5 hurricanes in a century, like we did in the 20th Century, we'll have maybe three," Enfield says. "Instead of three Category 4s in a century, we may have four or five." Aside from the powerful storms, the region will be more vulnerable than ever to storm surge as the rising sea level erodes beaches and coastline sediments at a faster rate. Meanwhile, underground seawater in- filtration will speed up, gradually replac- ing freshwater, shorting out buried power lines, and corroding concrete and steel Continued on page 40 NE 54TH STREET & NE 4TH AVENUE Join quality tenants just beyond Ine Design District oa Soyko's 551n Street Stoaions such as Soyko's Restaurant. Green Dol, Codigo. Steel Gym and Biscayne Times. PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS: * 4.000 -/- SQ FT available to lease (fully buill out and ready for occupancy) * 2nd floor warehouse/Loft office fully remodeled in vintage fashion with exposed wood-rafter and concrete beams. * Includes executive, junior executive, and 9 other offices, large conference room and storage. * Has set-up offices dedicated for recording and sound studios * Private men's and women's restrooms, kitchen and elevator access all ADA compliant * Ample parking * Occupancy November 2012. RENTAL PRICE UPON REQUEST MAJESTIC PROPERTIES BRIAN CARTER, RA BROKER ASSOCIATE S* cell 305 582 2424 I btcarter@majesticproperties.com Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 ai Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 S-11' ~AJrcg~nj D6z~r.z.~ 5~4 ~31&Z' Quick Delivery I Factory Direct Pricing MIAMI DESIGN DISTRICT FORT 270 NE 39th Street 4 Mimi. F. 33137 F Phone (305) 572-1222 I Limitless Possibilities LAUDERDALE NOW OPEN 000 N. Federal Highway 3rt Lauderdale, Fl. 33308 Phone (954) 530-5472 September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com ....... .... September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Rising Sea Continued from page 38 rebar in buildings. "Saltwater is more likely to damage nonmarine concrete," says Harlem, "so the building foundations, which are in the ground, will encounter the problem [of corrosion] before the ocean is high enough to flood streets." Miami-Dade's crumbling water and sewer system will have to be completely overhauled and redesigned or else. Esti- mated cost: a billion dollars. "The present system will no longer work and we'll have increased contamination of surface and ground waters," UM's Wanless affirms. Aside from the prospect of raw sewage escaping the system, rising seas will also erode former landfills such as Biscayne Landing in North Miami, where developer Michael Swerdlow plans to build apartments, retail outlets, and hotels. The low-lying, bayfront land was once a notoriously toxic Superfund clean-up site. Harlem is skeptical that county-funded remediation efforts at the 190-acre property will prevent the six million tons of garbage still there from being exposed by a one-foot rise A scene from the alarming and amusing video created by FAU students John Michael Wilyat and Jammy Chong with supervision from associate professor Francis X. McAfee. A k A scene from the alarming and amusing video created by FAU students John Michael Wilyat and Jammy Chong with supervision from associate professor Francis X. McAfee. in sea level. "Landfills and surface burial sites will not survive very long once the waves can attack them every day," Harlem explains. "Fact of life about the ocean: It is very, very powerful. The remediation sounds like a temporary fix to appease the development plans, but it's not good for the coastal waters of the future." Enfield is concerned about another potential environmental disaster: nuclear meltdown. At two feet of sea-level rise, 2 Turkey Point will be an island cut off . from the mainland. If the nuclear power Plant takes a serious hit from a strong Hurricane, it could be swamped by a tidal Surge of 20 feet or more. Under such a Scenario, Enfield worries that pumps used to cool the reactors at the current Q facility, or at a future reactor Florida Power & Light wants to build at the site, might be rendered inoperable, just like I Fukushima. "That's my concern as a citi- -: zen," he says. "It's not clear to me that SFPL is planning for that sort of event." S Richard Gibbs, a spokesman for FPL, assures that the current and future nuclear plants will be safe in higher seas, and points out that Turkey Point suffered only minimal damage from the 17-foot-plus storm surge generated by Hurricane Andrew. "The existing nuclear units are 20 feet above sea level, designed to withstand the worst-case tidal surge," Gibbs says. "And all the critical plant equipment is positioned even higher." The new power plant, he adds, will be on a foundation 26 feet above sea level, and built according to Continued on page 42 We're Moving to where the qL I/lA ArtsLive! N MI rts., esigi- & WfLr IW-K Sm .ir* m n a r it m ema OPENING OCTOBER 2012 805 NE 125 ST. MianI FL 33181 20 TO 70% '/ OFF STOREWIDE! "tu m lad NE 4TH CT aMtAc. FL 5580 NE 4TH CT, MIAMI .FL PH 30S.7572005 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 9MI-ewuMI Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 ~i 9! \b r c~ i I i ,b [t i \ \L \\I I \{1\I' i' !I >ji' Lt ', r l 'i . *4i~i --. k-I7 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com orF U P N p -I F7% QSESSV^sE ^^^^^BT r ^^^ 1z September 2012 Rising Sea Continued from page 40 post-Fukushima flood criteria. A more certain environmental di- saster will be afoot once oceans rise four feet: the end of the Everglades. Seawater at that level will flow into the Shark River Slough, commencing the transfor- mation of the delicate freshwater eco- system into a saltwater bay, Enfield says. When that happens, groundwater flow to Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico simply ends, "causing total collapse of estuaries" and accelerating the saliniza- tion of freshwater aquifers. With developed, inhabited land en- gulfed by polluted ocean water, drinking water scarce, infrastructure dissolving, and intimidating mitigation costs (as- sessed in the form of higher taxes), Wan- less predicts that South Florida gradually will be abandoned. "It's just not going to be a desirable place to live," he says. Codes and regulations are already being implemented by Miami- Dade County to address sea-level rise. For example, new buildings in flood FlU's Peter Harlem: "Landfills will not survive very long. Fact of life about the ocean: It is very, very powerful." zones must be constructed on foundations high enough to accommodate the current rate of sea-level rise, which is a half-foot every 50 years, says Marcia Steelman, an engineer with the Department of Regula- tory and Economic Resources. The county's Water and Sewer De- partment will also take rising seas into account while upgrading its sprawling system. The county even has developed a pilot program to replenish the under- Sground Biscayne Aquifer using steril- ized wastewater, although that project is Snow on hold. UM's Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, who, with her husband, founded the acclaimed urban planning firm Duany Plater-Zyberk, says Miami can adapt to environmental issues. "There are going to be a lot of people living here for decades to come," she says. "If we plan and act accordingly, Miami can be a profitable and pleasant place to live." Peter Zalewski, founder of Condo Vultures.com, doubts the real estate market will react to scientific prophe- cies. Instead, he believes, investors will continue to finance new projects and buy property in low-lying areas. "They are living for the trade," Zalewski says. "The trade is about today. Whatever is tomorrow is beyond their concern. You eat what you kill." Plater-Zyberk agrees that the private sector can't be expected to make long-term plans on its own. "That's why government is going to have to take the lead," she says. But Antonio Nanni, a professor of civil engineering at UM, says such urban planning will be a daunting task. "We did not build our communities thinking that all of a sudden we'd be underwater," Nanni observes. i ,. ,I rl,,,- will have to be readdressed." That could mean deciding which areas should remain dry and which should be allowed to drown. "If we don't do it, the insurance companies will do it for us," predicts Plater-Zyberk. Lo- cales with office buildings, government agencies, and residential high-rises, "you might want to think about protecting more" than places with just retail strip malls, she says. Within the Biscayne Corridor, Plater-Zyberk names Brickell and downtown's urban core as communi- ties that likely will be considered worth saving. She doesn't cite any expendable Biscayne Corridor neighborhoods, but does say that "in West Dade or South Dade, where there is low density and low investment, we probably are not going to do anything." Continued on page 44 SERVING MIAMI'S HOTTEST EMERGING NEIGHBORHOODS BU SELL OR RENT WmoNNa E IM10 103 STREET I FR SALE 01,1U0S U NW T051 Nosr EET | FOR SALE tI"WM bDOMNTOMM 4Mi 4 UA t@K.g,'.J -d .:r n :nhr Ir- c Ii- p r4 .r 1. 110v c ra r--ad' r a C t A tsi _-$mi Bent -r r nxrw. nrl' 1t~cc raIho nzt r d'-i K tim To now I1aKM a wd i C I lSt AVC4 'f1, Y-sr *rt Ck 1zta una VMm MB Y IRENE DAKOTA 305.972.8860 I nZwI id;Aola :il'mrnrro I pIopcrr iS com SIRENE DAKOTA 305.972.8860 IdCLkOs: Y' mol rn 1 propetrie coam iuoi l UET IHARBOUR DR filR | FOR SALU SmLea &,f hc 0BD Ir ttIri Hi- -[ FL-1" .' ,- In ar zir C t t1 ,i" i, FIn SAMY ARONSON 305.527,4769 a ;r ilrfoanrltl' ml ra i prtopE rlll corm UWIR ATn L IE wHwoCo MMs lACH ANO 4MM Like meiro 1 properties on facebook O & wrn prres all surinr long' JOIN OUR EXCLUSIVE SALES TEAM W'rc comrrrnilid to our g-nl's succizLs. careersmetro1 properlies.corn or 305,571.9991 metrol properties.com Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 MOM "Ro.. - -- _1I--I -i ... ... .- .. "- 7 l l i lmi_ ^-,,a.-L ,,^1A KtS 1 ^- Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Rising Sea Continued from page 42 How do you defend areas deemed worthy if they are, like much of Brickell, sitting at very low elevation? Pumps will only work temporarily, and seawalls and dikes are going to be useless. Seawa- ter will find its way beneath seawalls, through the porous limestone that is ubiquitous in this region. Says Wanless: "You can build all the walls you want, but it won't keep the water out." While experts ponder that dilemma, others argue for immediate changes to safeguard new development projects. If Nanni had his way, for instance, he'd ban the use of concrete reinforced with steel rebar and require builders to use fiber composite materials that enable a structure to "last forever" in a saltwater environment. He'd also require new con- struction to be built on at least six feet of fill, which he says would protect it from sea-level rise for at least 20 years. To help communities last longer, Plater-Zyberk would raise the streets - literally. That's what Chicago did in the 19th Century to deal with flooding from Lake Michigan. "It's not cheap, and one size does not fit all," she says. Homes and buildings unable to be lifted will either be demolished or become the foundations of new structures. Raising the ground in existing neigh- borhoods, Nanni advises, will be at least as difficult as building islands in the middle of the Persian Gulf. "Where are you going to get the material to do such things?" he asks. One option would be to sacrifice up to 15 percent of the county's land mass by digging a series of canals and using the fill to raise specified low-elevation urban areas, he says. But ultimately, if sea levels keep rising, low-lying land will probably be doomed to saturation. "From a struc- tural construction standpoint," Nanni says, "there is very little we can do." That won't keep people from trying. When sea-level rise first becomes ap- parent, property owners will be more concerned with defending their holdings than simply abandoning them, real estate analyst Zalewski expects. This will create a vibrant market for innovative, or smooth-talking, engineers. "There's always some sort of solution for the right price," he says. Architecture dean Elizabeth Plater- Zyberk: "If we plan, Miami can be a profitable and pleasant place to live." Harlem agrees that the engineer- ing sector will become lucrative in the future. "Engineers are starting to grasp that this is an issue that they can make some money on," says Harlem. "I have a hunch that we're going to see some interesting and spectacular what-ifs from these kinds of folks." If the region remains popular, and Za- lewski thinks it will, builders might dredge up new communities to replace already- submerged waterfront areas. Or they might just build things directly on the ocean. Harlem says an architecture firm from the United Arab Emirates has de- signed a saucer-shaped hotel that can be planted into the sea. Such resorts might be developed where Miami Beach used to be, or in the new Brickell Bay. During one climate conference, Harlem recalls, someone suggested floating cities as an alternative: "A naval architect said, 'We can do that. We call them cruise ships."' Future builders are likely to retreat to higher ground, wherever they can find it in South Florida. But such elevat- ed points will be scarce after five feet of sea-level rise, and over time they would become isolated island communities. In the end, there will be but one solution, Harlem believes. Simple and straightforward. He puts it this way: "I think it would be smarter to move to plus-170 feet elevation and get it over with, which is north of Tal- lahassee. Just one move and you're done." 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Coupon must be presented at time ofpurchase. ?2012 ClockworkIlP, LLC \--______________ No Overtime Rates, Including Nights & Weekends Drug Tested, Background-Checked Employees * Straightforward Pricing" Fully Licensed & Insured 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed We Offer 24-hr Service Matias General Manager CAC1813298 biscaynetlmes @2012 Clockwork IP, LLC Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 September 2012 -- --- I Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com \, \L -i-T Al A WE s S s SI. uni alunkruj )h Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com I A- September 2012 -p~t fol"'A Community News: BISCAYNE CORRIDOR Look! Up in the Sky! It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's... ...a high-rise next to Greynolds Park and for many there's nothing super about it By Wendy Doscher-Smith BT Contributor Proposed development adjacent to Greynolds Park in North Miami Beach has park advocates, including the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department, lining up in opposition. The NMB City Council, however, seems prepared to ap- prove the project. The property in question sits next to Greynolds Park at 17400 W. Dixie Hwy. A nursing home used to operate there, but the 4.2-acre parcel has been vacant and overgrown for years. In 2006, a New York investors' group, Braha Dixie LLC, paid $9.8 million for the land. By 2009 the new owners, led by Ralph Braha, had come up with a development plan, which they presented to the city coun- cil. It called for a ten-story office building with a bank and drive-thru, a six-story park- ing garage, and a rooftop restaurant with "a great view of the park and Maule Lake," according to city records. Council members approved it. They also okayed some road closures as part of the project, including barricading the end of NE 173rd Street. In addition, Braha and his investors asked the Flori- da East Coast Railway for permission to create additional parking alongside the railroad right-of-way. All of this transpired with little notice and even less criticism. That is, until attorney Charles Baron, former city councilman Robert Taylor, and North Miami Beach resident Errol Alvey got wind of it. Not so fast, they said. Fearing severely detrimental ef- fects on the park and increased traffic congestion on W. Dixie Highway, they filed a lawsuit in which they charged that the city council approved the project in violation of NMB's own zoning codes and comprehensive plan. In the face of that legal challenge, Braha Dixie put the development on hold. According to Baron, a representa- tive of the developer subsequently met with him, Taylor, and park officials. In Try this on for size: Okay, it's not precisely to scale, but it is a 15-story building and does seem to tower over Greynolds Park. response to concerns about a tall build- ing looming over the park, the developer offered to conduct a balloon study to show how high a ten-story would be. Baron says that was never done. Fiercely protecting Greynolds Park from visual intrusions would be perfectly understandable to anyone who is familiar with the place. Built in 1936 by the Civil- ian Conservation Corps, an arm of Frank- lin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal, the 233-acre park, a former rock quarry, is one of the most attractive and popular in the region. Among its many amenities are several lagoons and a lake with boat rent- als, miles of hiking and biking trails, a golf course, extensive picnic areas, a bird sanctuary, and a 42-foot-high obsc iN- tion mound" that is said to be the highest point in Miami-Dade County (aside from Continued on page 50 Roll 'Em! It's official movies are coming back to the Shores, courtesy of the new Miami Theater Center and 0 Cinema By Gaspar Gonzalez BT Contributor In its nearly 66 years on NE 2nd Avenue, the Shores Theater has experi- enced more plot twists than a Chris- topher Nolan movie. It opened in 1946 as a late Deco-style mini movie palace, the jewel of a then-bustling commercial district catering to the postwar boom of families flooding into Miami Shores and adjoining neighborhoods. By the mid- 1970s, though, air-conditioned malls and more modern multiplexes were drawing the crowds away. The Shores hung on, but just barely, becoming a 99-cent house before eventually closing in the late 1980s. It found new life in 1990 as the Shores Performing Arts Theater, but that enterprise also failed, going bust in 2004. That's when the PlayGround Theatre, the current occupant, took over the space at 9806 NE 2nd Ave. "The Shores Performing Arts The- ater had, like, an 80-year-lease with more than 70 years left to go on it," remem- bers Stephanie Ansin, the PlayGround Theatre's founder and artistic director. Ansin bought out the center's lease for a little more than $200,000. Stephanie Ansin: "I want to see people from the neighborhood walking to the theater that's my dream." Since that time, the PlayGround The- atre's performances have attracted more than 150,000 students, educators, and other guests, and garnered the company a reputation as one of South Florida's leading cultural institutions. Now Ansin plans to expand the company's artistic vision in a big way, Continued on page 52 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.comSeptember 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 MOCA Goes to the Public Well, Comes Up Dry The museum's expansion bond issue lost by just 155 votes, and some blame the politicians By Mark Sell BT Contributor It's time for Plan B at North Miami's Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Voters on August 14 nar- rowly defeated a $15 million, 20-year bond issue that would have tripled the exhibition space of the internationally celebrated facility. Turnout was solid at 20 percent (solid, that is, for a dead-of-summer elec- tion), with 4151 residents casting ballots. The measure lost by just 155 votes, a squeaker. How and why did this happen? And where does MOCA, a city-run museum, go now? As for the Iho' s the heaviest con- centration of No votes was in the affluent eastern precincts of Keystone Point and Sans Souci Estates, along with the densely populated, immigrant-rich area west of 1-95. As a rough rule, the closer you were to the museum, the more likely you were to vote Yes. In the Sans Souci and Keystone Point neighborhoods, the bond issue lost by 183 votes more than enough to send the measure down to defeat. On the other hand, the museum's home precinct in central North Miami, between 135th Street and Biscayne Park, supported the bond by a 92-vote margin. As for the "whys," you can count the reasons, starting with these hard times. "It's a bad economy and people were not in the mood to self-tax," says Council- man Scott Galvin, a spirited advocate for the bond issue. "Had this been good times, it might have passed narrowly." As for other reasons, you could cite the very short five-week window for campaigning, distrust of the city council New York's Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman + Associates Architects designed the LEED certified additions, which would have added more than 28,000 square feet to the museum. and Mayor Andre Pierre by residents living on the east side (council members supported the bond issue unanimously), and general, all-too-common accusa- tions of mendacity and deception. Ellen Abramson, an activist and 41-year resident of Keystone Point, gives herself some credit, too. At the begin- ning of August, she sent out an e-mail blast and flyers, describing the bond issue as a tax and calling the city's "informational" campaign misleading. The opposition flyers were distributed most heavily in the east and west, where the No votes prevailed. "MOCA should go to the private sector, as many other institutions do," says Abramson in a post-election inter- view. "As wonderful as MOCA is, it's not the responsibility of the taxpayers of Continued on page 48 Fire the Minister, Ignite the Congregation At Unity on the Bay, the talk has been more insurrection than salvation By Brandon Dane Special to the BT he storm began in late July, when the Unity on the Bay board of trustees voted to remove the church's extremely popular senior minis- ter Rev. Christopher Jackson. Days later, church members and congregants mobilized via social media, circulating a petition to rescind the board's decision to "release Reverend Chris Jackson, after a full evaluation," as posted on the church's Facebook page. Fi- nally, on August 25, about 100 members of Unity's congregation and the board of trustees gathered at a town hall meeting to openly discuss the controversy. The congre. Bay is a racially 17 percent Afric rest almost equ; Anglos and Lati woman says tha Unity on the Bay, located at 411 NE 21st St. in Miami, has been operat- ing here for 85 years. It is part of Unity Worldwide Ministries, which began in 1889 in Kansas City, Mis- souri, founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore. The faith is a nondenomi- national, 11%\\ lIhougltl" church that believes "God is the source and creator Rev. Christopher Jackson of all. There is no other was ousted by church enduring power." Like- trustees, then reinstated - wise, there is po\ cli IIn sort of affirmative prayer" that increases the was the secretive connection to God. board sought to gation at Unity on the Diverse group of about ;an-Americans with the ally divided between inos. A church spokes- it some 60 to 65 percent come from Miami's Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered ? community. S It's a diverse, so- phisticated group, led Sby a rotating board of Z trustees with experi- ence -just not the Kind of experience that prepared them for Unity's version of an Arab Spring. If there was a thread that wove through congre- gants' complaints, it e method by which the terminate Jackson's employment. Board members wrote in another Facebook post: "We understand the congregation's desire to know the details of the decision," but it would violate their confidentiality agreement with Jackson. That explanation prompted Eddie Dominguez, a member and lay leader of the church, to create his own Facebook page, Future of Unity, which quickly at- tracted many Jackson advocates. In fact it wasn't long before the Future of Unity group had more than 1000 supporters. (The church itself has about 1200 recog- nized members, according to Jackson.) It took just three weeks from the day the board decided to terminate Jackson to the day, August 16, when Jackson an- nounced that the decision had been reversed. In the meantime, Dominguez, through Future of Unity, had been explicit in charging that Unity's board of trustees had dismissed Jackson "without Continued on page 58 September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Community News: BISCAYNE CORRIDOR Class Conflict Aventura parents say they need a charter high school can send their kids, but what's wrong with Krop? By Erik Bojnansky BT Senior Writer Aventura parents uneasy about sending their teens to a public high school outside their posh city are invited to a town hall meeting at 7:30 p.m. on September 27. Aventura Mayor Susan Gottlieb requested the meeting, which will take place in the Aventura Government Center, in response to a group of Aven- tura parents who want the city to build a charter high school catering to Aventura residents. Miami-Dade School Board member Martin Karp will host the event. Friday Lapidot, president of Parents for Aventura Charter High School As- sociation, though, isn't waiting. She's pressing on with demands for a new school for Aventura high schoolers and she is willing to influence a Novem- ber city election to do it. "Many of the MOCA Continued from page 47 North Miami to fund so much of this." Indeed MOCA could turn to the private sector. It might seek money from Biscayne Landing developer Michael Swerdlow, whose $17 million down payment to the city once included $7 million earmarked for the museum. MOCA also might look for a deep-pocketed private donor along the lines of Jorge Perez or Adrienne Arsht, with candidates are asking for our support," Lapidot says. "They know if they have our support, they stand a better chance of getting elected." So far, Lapi- dot has collected online signatures on petitionbuzz.com from more than 1900 Aventura residents who support the con- struction of a charter high school. Consid- ering that fewer than 3000 registered voters where they Aventura Mayor S Gottlieb: "The tax here would... I car imagine... quadru in Aventura have more." bothered to partici- pate in a city election since 2003, Lapidot is confident her group has enough clout to determine who will fill three of the naming rights part of the deal. There are other options, all of which will be reviewed in the coming months. On a deeper level, Abramson and other east-side opponents, such as former mayoral candidate and Board of Adjust- ment chairwoman Carol Keys, along with 135th Street activist Catherine Christo- fis, believe the city deceived taxpayers. They point to the city's website, which stated that the bond issue would cost simply $4x peryear, ratherthan $48 per seven city commission seats only one of which will be defended by an incum- bent, thanks to term-limits come the November 6 election. So far, at least three candidates have declared their support for a charter school: Sergio Gus- tavo Vuguin (running against Commissioner Teri Holzberg for Seat 1), Enbar Cohen (running for Seat 5), and Ian Llobgregat (also running for Seat 5). "At the end of the day, the residents want a high school and we're going to have three commissioners who will fight for it because of the lack of choices," Lapidot says, adding that her usan group has yet to endorse any rate candidate. n't even Aventura already owns pie or and operates a K-8 charter facility called Aventura City of Excellence School, or ACES. Parents are so enamored with the A-rated school that, in October of last year, they begged the Aventura City $100,000 assessed valuation over 20 years. If you have a Keystone Point house valued at $500,000, you're looking at almost $250 per year. Multiply that by 20 and it comes to nearly $5000. Do the same for a major commercial property, and you're talking real money. Even if the city had been clearer, they admit, they still would have voted No. Bonnie Clearwater, the energetic and highly regarded director and cura- tor of the museum since its founding Commission to build a charter high school. City officials have declined to do so. Mayor Susan Gottlieb insists her city invested $12 million to build ACES in 2003 because the public elementary and junior high school options were limited back then. (Aventura is now also served by K-8 Aventura Waterways School.) Like public schools, charter schools receive state and federal education funds. However, individual charter school spon- sors are responsible for any cost over- runs, according to John Schuster, chief communications officer for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Gottlieb contends that the costs for building and operating a charter high school will prove far more expensive a proposition than ACES, especially since Aventura is now 98 percent built out. "If we had to purchase land we do not have and build a high school, the tax rate here would... I can't even imagine... qua- druple or more," Gottlieb says. But Lapidot is sure Aventura's city officials and residents can figure out a Continued on page 56 in 1996, was said to be stung by the defeat. But reached on vacation in Maine, Clearwater, who is a city em- ployee, sounds positively chipper. "I'm optimistic about MOCA's future," she says. "And we'll work with the city to find other means of funding. Our programs will keep going strong. They are making a big difference for kids and teens with the city's support." Continued on page 54 Keystone Point MARINA Bottom Paint up to 40ft Ethanol Free Gas-Marine Diesel Free Pump Out Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 U I I.. I b,. r il4 ,. WL' = Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com , September 2012 Paramount Bay Luxury Rental $5000/month Rarely available in Miami s hippest building! 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Today they're back, and they're seek- ing to build a project even bigger than the original plan. Braha Dixie wants to have the property rezoned to "General Business District B-2," which allows for a maximum height of 15 stories or 150 feet, whichever is less. In a letter to the city, the Braha group explained that they intended to build a mixed-use development including a hotel with 276 rooms, 82,500 square feet of office space, 25,600 square feet of retail, and a park- ing garage with 600 spaces. They also promised that the build- ing would be no taller than ten stories, and proposed a restrictive covenant to enforce the height limit. At the first reading of the proposal to rezone the property, the city council voted unanimously to approve the change. Once again the process seemed to have flown under the radar. Very few objections were raised at the first reading, in large part, says Charles Baron, because very few people knew it was being considered. Since then, Baron, Taylor, and others have spread the word in a big way. They brought together environmental and conservation groups, as well as individual civic activists. They got them- selves organized. And they made some noise. Adding to the growing chorus of objections was the county parks depart- ment, which informed the city of it's official opposition to the proposal. As a result, the Braha Dixie inves- tors delayed the second, final reading of the proposed zoning change. They also hired lobbyist and former Daily Busi- ness Review reporter Keith Donner in an effort to address objections and persuade council members to stay the course. A few weeks ago, Donner met with project opponents and park officials at the Greynolds Park office to discuss working out a compromise. The covenant restrict- ing the height to ten stories didn't qualify as a compromise, says Baron, because such covenants can be overturned at any time by the city council or the courts. Baron also met with the only Braha Dixie investor living in South Florida, Weston-based Tommy Kertesz. Baron says he found that Kertesz had a I a "tremendous amount of difficulty com- prehending the height" as being an issue, and how it would adversely affect the neighborhood, including the integrity of Greynolds Park. "I told him [Kertesz]: 'All we want to see is trees and sky,' and he looked at me like I'm a total nutcase," Baron recounts. Echoing Baron's sentiments is Amy Werba, president of Friends of Oleta River, a group dedicated to preserving and pro- tecting the river, which runs along the east- ern edge of Greynolds Park. She says there are many reasons why this project is a bad idea, and enumerated them in a meeting with lobbyist Donner a few weeks ago. Of Braha Dixie she says: "They are obviously concerned and scared, which is exactly what we wanted. When you have a park like Greynolds, you have to make an effort to preserve it, because once a build- ing goes up, the atmosphere is destroyed." If the same development at the same height were to be built on NE 163rd Street or Miami Gardens Drive, "that might be a different story," says Werba, who is not unalterably opposed to the project. She just doesn't want to see it towering over the park. "People forget what the natural world is like," she adds, "which is why we have to strive to preserve places like Greynolds Park. "We would like [the project] to not interrupt this atmosphere, and that is our biggest objection." The only person who doesn't seem to understand why all the fuss is Tommy Kertesz. He insists that the project will not block any views and would help reduce crime at Greynolds Park by "creating a secure area, which tourists could visit." According to Kertesz, the Hyatt Hotel chain has signed on as part of the project, and he assures that a Hyatt representative will be present at the next city council meeting. Having a company like Hyatt involved is something Kertesz feels the city "should be proud of." A hotel at that location makes sense, he argues, considering the proximity of Florida International University's School of Hospitality. Hyatt, he adds, has agreed to a long- and short-stay component in the building, which "would not be more than six or seven stories" tall. As for Charles Baron and Robert Taylor and Amy Werba and the others who have voiced objections, Kertesz has this to say: "I don't agree with them. You know the story: 'I want to build every- where, but not in my backyard."' Feedback: letters@obiscaynetimes.com Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 "k l ,1 Z:14,7 1, I Traditional arawlin Wdnrl'iut. 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It's all part of the PlayGround Theatre's evolution into Miami Theater Center, or MTC, an umbrella organiza- tion that will consist of four artistic divisions: MTCplaygound, which will continue to produce quality theater, camps, and programs for children; MTC- performance, a multidisciplinary line-up of shows for adult audiences; MTCtrain- ing, providing everything from acting classes to ballet training to technical safety and lighting instruction for theater professionals; and MTCfilm, a cinema component that will include screenings related to MTC's other offerings, as well as a schedule of independent and art- house films. "My inspiration for Miami Theater Center is the Brooklyn Academy of Music," says Ansin, a Coral Gables native who attended graduate school at Colum- bia University. "I want to make this like a baby BAM." It's an ambitious undertak- ing, to be sure, but perhaps Ansin has already surmounted her greatest hurdle - actually being able to show movies in the Shores. That's because movie screenings in the Shores didn't just die out; they were banned by the village council. It's something Ansin discovered accidentally only in 2010, when she first flirted with the idea of adding film of- ferings to the mix at the PlayGround. As she recalls, O Cinema co-founder Vivian Marthell was looking for a temporary home for her Knight Foundation-funded art house while its permanent digs in Wynwood were being completed. Ansin offered O Cinema the use of her fa- cilities, and "that's when I found out I couldn't do movies!" she says, affecting a look of horror from behind the desk of her tiny office, located in a corner of what once was the Shores Theater's second-floor projection room. The restriction was implemented decades ago when, in the opinion of many locals, increasingly risqu6 films at the theater were threatening to bring an unwelcome element to the Shores. ("I heard they were starting to call it Miami Whores!" squeals Ansin.) If those were the kinds of movies that were going to be shown at the old theater, the think- ing went, better to have no movies at all. And the ordinance didn't apply just to the theater. Miss Mooie's, the late, lamented ice cream parlor on the corner of NE 96th Street and 2nd Avenue, also tried to show movies a couple of years ago. "They were going to project family films on their back wall," says Jesse Walters, executive director of the Miami Shores Chamber of Commerce. "But they were denied a permit, and that became a cam- paign issue." The campaign was Walters's effort to win a seat on the village council, which he did in April 2011. "After six or eight months in office," he says, "I decided to sponsor legislation that would allow for movie exhibition in the Shores." Walters hoped to encourage multiple film venues, including the opening of an indie-oriented storefront theater - like the Miami Beach Cinematheque's previous home on Espafiola Way but concerns on the council led him to limit the language of the proposed ordinance to the existing theater. The ordinance passed unanimously at a November 2011 council meeting. (Mayor Jim McCoy had previously expressed his support for bringing back movies to the Shores in a May 2010 BT story by Mark Sell, "In Miami Shores, It's Nix on Flicks.") Having been given a green light by the village council, Ansin wasted no time in approaching O Cinema to see if there was any interest in launching a northern branch of the Wynwood art- house at the '~ -i-s.c theater. There was. The arrangement, now in place, calls for O Cinema, under the banner of MTCfilm, to administer a schedule of approxi- mately 250 screenings a year, Thursdays through Sundays. It'll be foreign, independent, and art- house fare, but don't expect the program- ming to be identical to O Cinema. "This is a more family-oriented venue, and the house is bigger" says Ansin. "It's a won- derful opportunity for them to expand their offerings." Village officials also hope MTC's new nighttime program of movies and stage productions Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters will have its "adult pre- miere" Saturday, November 17 in- creases foot traffic in the community's commercial corridor, a target of revital- ization efforts, it seems, since before the Shores Theater stopped showing movies altogether. "When you park and go to the theater, you're going to pass these other Continued on page 54 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.comSeptember 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 79h Street BISCAYNETOM_ UI September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com "C' September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Community News: BISCAYNE C( MOCA Continued from page 48 In art circles, MOCA is a prize, lion- ized in the New York Times and influential journals. Space will continue to be tight for the innovative permanent collection and traveling exhibitions that highlight a rising, international generation of renowned artists such as Jean-Michel Othoniel, Christian Holstad, Karen Kilimnik, Ryan Trecartin, Hernan Bas, and many others. The museum's planned expansion was intended as a centerpiece for the revival of North Miami's downtown, and its advo- cates are not about to give up. Galvin says more local involvement is key: "MOCA has been around more than 15 years but hasn't done much self- publicity, although it's had great press. You see Pat Riley and Calvin Klein at MOCA parties, but not the president of the homeowners' association or the chamber of commerce." Michael McDearmaid, a longtime civic activist and an organizer of the "MOCA Yes" political action commit- tee, argues that the advocacy effort was hobbled by the mere five weeks between a council vote authorizing the bond issue and the August 14 ballot- ing. "I was surprised by the vote," he says. "When I actually had a chance to talk to people, they didn't understand the implications. This bond issue was the simplest way to expand and would have cost taxpayers the least amount of money. All the money for the PAC was raised by members of the board, Friends of MOCA, and downtown businesses. 3RRIDOR We received zero money from the city." (Clearwater says that $100,000 from the city went entirely to education programs within the museum, not for an advertis- ing campaign.) Following the election, Mayor Andre Pierre posted this on the city's website: "Although we hear the voters of North Miami and understand that the additional cost of funding the city's Museum of Contemporary Art is not the option preferred by our residents, we urge everyone to remember that 'MOCA is ours' and hope that the election has exposed MOCA to even more people in our community who will now visit and explore what the museum has to offer. The expansion plan does not stop here. The City of North Miami will continue to look for funding alternatives to make the dream a reality." Each side blames a general lack of education for the other's vote. Bond-issue proponents claim the public was not sufficiently aware of the museum's good works, particularly its programs for chil- dren and teens. Opponents says the city tried to shield voters from the whole truth. From the victors' circle, Ellen Abramson has no regrets. "I think my e-blast had some impact. I really do," she says. "Unless you've got money up the gazoo and don't know what you're doing with it, you want to know what you're spending. "I looked at the paper the next morn- ing and said, 'Yes! I absolutely did make a difference and I am proud of that.' My mother would be kvelling." Feedback: letters@tbiscaynetimes.com Roll 'Em! Continued from page 52 businesses," says Walters. "And you might not buy something at that moment, but you'll see a place where you can get your hair cut, or get your taxes prepared." Those are the kinds of tenants NE 2nd Avenue currently has. Walters hopes MTC might attract more arts-related businesses, like galleries and antique stores, as well as more dining options. (One of the im- pediments to restaurants moving into the Shores has been the lack of a sewer system. Walters says a proposal to create a self- taxing district to finance the installation of a sewer system along 2nd Avenue will be taken up by the council next year.) Ansin shares Walters's optimism. "I want to see people from the neighbor- hood walking to the theater that's my dream," she says. Signs abound that it may just become a reality. Not long after it was announced that MTC intended to show films, Ansin encountered a group of older ladies from the area. "You're going to show independent films, so we don't have to go to the Gables to see them, right?" one of them asked. To mark the debut ofMTCfilm, and the theater's rebirth as a regular movie venue, MTC will screen the 1946 musical Blue Skies on October 13, as part of a street fair celebrating the village's 80th birthday. Starring Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby, Blue Skies is a sentimental pick, and an appropriate one. It was the first film ever shown at the Shores Theater back when people took it for granted there would always be movies playing on 2nd Avenue. Feedback: letters @biscaynetimes.com Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 HIGH PERFORMANCE FITNESS Private Personal Training Centers 3 Personal Training Sessions!! Body Fat Analysis & Nutritional Counseling THE BOD POD sale ,rj ,d-lofre I i:hne rreour rs aJ" Sard cht,'er 15 yards and cidefl LWIiung V-krse W. am '.satrd. eerfy abretes anwd wegng upw o 5M Its The BOD POO .s so accUi it -is bf -Trhe 1Bgest Loser'. rrL lear.rs. rowarOi Urts. hos and sports ainS n;awd the COuntrp arI r ina~.ong r The BO P"O4J 3nOew I-? M b Ira i Kon.rnItnP1 Dsta e. be s en lo rrmiwlalors e l C;oricy andor ,amnld in a formal wFlb blor pa|ne B M MlIwrp nI SFBJ rffss and p$wfe1 1ir SFar h "s d ptarKI fi-Ilr* rn4 P .ja B Vrd~r*n ............................................. . . . 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If you have been unhappy with your current results or would like to start on the road to rapid results, call us, we are the training team for you. 7120 BIscayne Blvd. 305-762-6600 wwwL.HIPERFIT.co m 465 Arthur Godfrey Rd. 305-674-9899 September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com FHI i=PE: R9 I T September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Prepare Yourself for the High Holy Days The 10-day period from Rosh HaShanah through Yom Kippur is known as the Days of Awe. It is a time when the Jewish people, individually and collectively, do heshbon hanefesh, an "accounting of the soul." Will you be ready? Feel inspired and feel at home at Temple Israel of Greater Miami where we invite you to these free evening programs. Connection, Reflection & Conversations Workshops guided by Rabbis Tom Heyn and Mitch Chefitz Make your High Holy Day experience more meaningful. Join us for two interactive workshops as we explore High Holy Day texts and traditions, tune in to the music, share our thoughts and insights, and discuss the essence of personal change the Days of Awe demand of us. Wednesday, September 5 & 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. Selichot: A Meditative Service That Prepares Us for the Days of Awe The Selichot service directs our hearts and minds to teshuvah, the process of turning within and returning to our best selves. In a candlelit sanctuary with meditative music, we will ready ourselves for an accounting of the soul in the days ahead. Saturday, September 8, from 10 to 11 p.m. Join us earlier in the evening for family-friendly programming, a dessert reception, and text study, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Are you looking for a Jewish home in the central city? A place to cel- ebrate the High Holy Days? We hope you consider Temple Israel. We are a diverse urban congregation grounded in Jewish tradition with a forward-reaching vision to connect with new generations of Jews. Come observe this sacred time of the Jewish year with us, where you can feel comfortable, I challenge yourself, find meaning Temple in the holidays, and be with people Isroel ' who want to do the same. Templelsrael.net For more information, call 305-573-5900 or write info@templeisrael.net 1 Visit us at 137 NE 19th Street, Miami Community News: BISCAYNE CORRIDOR Class Conflict Continued from page 48 way to build a charter high school with- out raising taxes and in less than two years. "There are many other possibili- ties and opportunities," she says. "And you know, if people get together to solve the problem which is overpopulation in the high school we will." Lapidot says Michael Krop Senior High, located three miles west of Aven- tura, is not large enough to accommodate students from North Miami Beach, the Skylake-Highland Lakes area, Ives Estates, and Aventura, a city that has seen its 18-and-under population skyrocket 117 percent between 2000 and 2010. She points out that the school district already says Krop is at 121 percent of capacity, yet it has no plans to build additional classrooms for Aventura high school students. Al\ mil II. s population trend is going to make this worse," she says. (According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Aventura's overall population is 35,800, up 30 percent from 2000.) But Karp, Aventura's representative on the school board, says the idea that Krop is overcrowded has more to do with bureaucratic formulas than any objective measure. With 2733 students, Krop's popu- lation actually has decreased by more than 1000 students compared to four years ago, thanks to the construction of Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High near Florida International University (which mainly serves teenagers living in North Miami, North Miami Beach, and Sunny Isles Beach), and the transfer of some students to "The Annex," a former Kmart near the California Club Mall that was converted into junior and senior high classrooms. "I can tell you as an educator, Krop is a good, decent learning environment," says Karp, a former schoolteacher with a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Miami. Indeed, Krop is deemed an A school by the Florida Department of Educa- tion. It also has raked in 65 Silver Knight Awards, offers 26 advanced placement courses, and has seen its graduating students obtain $80 million in college scholarships. Lapidot agrees that Krop is a great school, but complains it is the only option for Aventura parents who can't afford to send their children to a private school. During an Aventura City Com- mission workshop, Lapidot argued that a quality charter high school with competitive courses will not only provide Aventura residents with more choices, it also will encourage CEOs with children to move into the area, en- hancing property values. Ross Lila Torres, a real estate associ- ate with Beachfront Realty in Aventura, agrees that a charter high school would increase home prices. "One of the basic reasons people move to certain neighbor- hoods is the viability of schools in the area," says Torres, a former Aventura resident who signed the online petition for a charter school. "You want to have your children in school close to where you live. You can supervise them better, and the cost of transportation these days - gas prices only go up." Indeed a majority of online petition signers wanted their kids to continue the experience provided at ACES. Others demanded that such a school guarantee ad- mission to Aventura residents (unlike ACES, where students are picked via lottery). "I wish that there would be a high school to fit at least 500 to 600 students per grade that live in Aventura," Mi- chelle Serber wrote next to her online signature. "Only those living with Aven- tura addresses should be able to go." Lapidot herself stressed the desir- ability of a "neighborhood high school" during last October's commission work- shop. "We want our kids to socially net- work with their neighbors," she said then. "We want to be a strong community with kids going to the same high school in the same community." Presumably, such a community school would reflect the ethnic character of Aventura, which is 59 percent white non-Hispanic (or Anglo), 36 percent His- panic, and 4 percent black. By contrast, Krop is 42 percent black, 35 percent Hispanic, and 21 percent Anglo. During the October workshop, a parent whose kids attended ACES received modest applause for nervously bringing up "the elephant in the room." "We hear at Krop and Alonzo Mourn- ing that there are gangs, that there is a lot of violence, that there is a different popu- lation of people," said the parent. "And we are comfortable where our kids are [now] going to school and who they associate with." The parent then asked Krop High principal Dawn Baglos how she intends to keep "our children safe." Baglos replied that the rumors of delinquents wandering the halls at Krop Continued on page 58 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 I CRITICALDEBT PROTECTION INFORMATION I When in Foreclosure,consid- er the following DO's and DON'Ts in protecting your rights and getting a resolution that bene- fits you: DO- Seek legal advice based on knowledge, experience, and esprit de corps. "The Fight" is about obtaining the evidence, depositions, and affida- vits. The laws are always changing, and you need someone who knows how to use the most recent developments to your advantage. DON'T! Trust the Bank to stop their foreclosure because you are working on a loan modification or short sale. The Bank is under no obligation to delay their foreclosure, and the will not protect your rights. Do not ignore the lawsuit. DO File a response to the lawsuit within twenty (20) days of service. You can lose valuable rights by not responding. If you need time to seek legal advice, ask for an extension of time to seek an attorney. DON'T! Think that talking to the Bank is the same as answering the Complaint. It is not. DO Keep a detailed journal of all calls and communication to the Bank, including the date, time, name, and substance of the call. Keep all letters, emails, and documents sent to you from the Bank. Civil Justice Advocates, PL 3601 W Commercial Blvd. Suite 18 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Ft. Lauderdale (main): (954) 677-8888 Miami: (305) 200-5115 Fluent in Spanish, French, & Creole By: Joann Hennessey, Esq. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon adver tisement. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifica tions and experience. FORECLOSURE DEFENSE? Foreclosure defense is about putting the Bank's feet to the fire, and making them prove every aspect of their case. It is about identifying fraudulent doc- uments, challenging the authority and au- thenticity of those individuals who sign the en- dorsements, assignments of mortgages, and affida- vits. It also means seeking and identifying docu- ments that contradict the Bank's claims. Goals are very important to identify at the beginning of your case. Goals will determine how a defense attorney will pursue your case. Every individual and family has different goals arising from different situations. Foreclosure defense attorneys must aggressively test the basis for each case on your behalf. They must have the knowledge and experience where and how to apply pressure on the Bank. Your attor- ney should have experience to know when to apply pressure to best meet your goals. You have options and you have rights. You have nothing to lose if you fight. You have the right to stand up against the Bank. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) If you're behind in paying your bills, or a creditor's records mis- takenly make it appear that you are, then you may have rights un- der the FDCPA. Debt Collectors try to collect debts, but sometime they go too far. Under the FDCPA, you have the right to sue a Debt Collector for abusive tac- tics. Some of these abusive tactics include: * Contacting you at inconven- ient times or places, such as before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM. * Contacting you if you have written to them requesting that they stop. * Impersonating a law office, government agency, or credit reporting company. * Threatening arrest for not paying. * Using abusive or insulting language to coerce payment. * Repeatedly contacting your friends or family. If you feel that a Debt Collector has been abusive, then you may have the right to sure them under the FDCPA. September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com News from Civil Justice Advocates, PL Attorney Kunal Mirchandani celebrates his first year with Civil Justice Advocates, P.L. After working for big banks and being frustrated with their practices, Kunal joined Civil Justice Advo- cates, P.L. to help consumers fight back and defend themselves from unfair and deceptive lend- ers. With the knowledge he gained from working inside the system, Kunal's first year has led to many successful results for clients at Civil Justice Advocates, P.L. His experience can help you tailor a legal strategy that best meets your goals. Sometimes this means an exhaustive legal bat- tle, other times it can be a favorable settlement. Kunal knows how to use all aspects of the law, including the FDCPA, to get you the best possible results. The experienced attorneys and staff at Civil Justice Advocates, P.L., will get you the results you deserve. September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Community News: BISCAYNE C( Unity on the Bay Continued from page 47 consulting with or giving any notice to the congregation." Furthermore, a Future of Unity petition called for "a special meeting of the membership to remove the board, which is clearly out of touch with the will of the congregation they serve." Such is the power of social media. Church by-laws say such a petition from members can only request a special meeting, and requires one-quarter of official members to sign it to be valid. "We have the signatures," Dominguez insists, but adds that he and his allies are "holding off for now" and will not seek to remove trustees from the board. The board began back-pedaling as more and more congregants, armed with stickers and T-shirts that read, "I Love Chris," began making their presence felt. By early August, Jackson and the board posted a joint letter. The tone had changed, and the message had gone from abrupt dismissal to this: "During these tough economic times, we need to place extra emphasis on the administrative and management duties." Instead of being terminated, Jackson would simply be relieved of most administrative duties. Did this mean the board had tried to fire Jackson because of poor man- agement? Apparently so. His spiritual leadership was never questioned. Laura Thezine, the most recent president of the board, resigned over the issue. "I gave the board four months to evaluate Chris," she says. "I didn't vote to dismiss him. But attendance was down." Donations were down as well, and so the board concluded that Jackson had to go. Says Eddie Dominguez: "The board wouldn't be happy if Jesus Christ himself was running Unity." He asserts that it's the economy and not Jackson. Reverend Jackson concurs that the poor economy has taken a toll on church cof- fers. The last audit of Unity, in 2010, puts Class Conflict Continued from page 56 were not true. An occasional fight might break out, she admitted, but students are far more likely to show off their artwork in the halls than attack each other. Baglos added that anyone caught fighting on school grounds is hit with an automatic ten-day suspension. Lapidot insists the movement is not about keeping Aventura teens segregated 3RRIDOR tithes and offerings on the balance sheet at almost $1.3 million. However, Rever- end Jackson says, "Church revenue has been declining since 2008." Affable and optimistic, Jackson chose the high road when asked about the ordeal. "Everybody was looking out for i\ lu ri,. thought was in the best interest of the church," he says. "Any church re- volves around the spiritual leadership, but the business management aspect was not handled to the board's satisfaction." Despite the dissatisfaction, Jackson remains optimistic that problems with transparency and communication can be resolved. It r\ .n't an issue of power," he says. "I commend all parties involved. We took an inherently conflict-able situation and used it to energize the church. Energy in the congregation is at an all-time high." Judging from the passion expressed at the town hall meeting, Jackson is right high energy. The church wasn't at its 800- seat capacity, but congregants lined up in the sanctuary for their three minutes to speak minds. New board president, Her- berth Aguilar, conducted the meeting. Some complained that the decline in congregant numbers was the result of the board having eliminated the church's marketing specialist, leading to no publicity of Unity activities in any local media. Others claimed a lack of transpar- ency was the main issue. Even Aguilar acknowledged that when he was first on the board, the attitude of trustees was: "You don't need to know that." Congregants did agree that an administrative minister should be hired to help Jackson so he would have more time to be a spiritual leader. In addition, the trustees, prior to the meeting, appointed Dominguez to a vacant seat on the board. As the "leader of the opposition," he took this as a good sign. Feedback: letters@biscaynetimes.com from minorities. "Every parent has his or her own motivation," she says. "The association is about addressing the prob- lems of overpopulation in schools and that problem is growing." Gottlieb hopes that more Aventura residents will learn what Krop has to offer at the community meeting, but at the very least, "we want everyone's voice to be heard." Feedback: letters @biscaynetimes.com Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Ly School of MXt Continuing Education .':"(rt.. &L Professional Development FREE OSHA TRAINING Rights & Responsibilities, Ergonomics and Heat Illness Funded by a Susan Harwood Training Grant US Department of Labor The MDC Health and Safety Fair is FREE to construction and general industry employers/employees from Monroe, Miami-Dade, and Broward Counties. A ^ ^. Attend 4 hours of OSHA Safety Training * Learn your employee Rirts and Responsibilities. * Learn about your employers Rights and Responsibilities. * Lear to recognize and protect yourself from heat illness. * Learn safe and comfortable postures. * Earn a Miami Dade College Certificate of Particpation. * Raffles and Giveaways! * Snacks and Beverages Served! 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Miai Dade Colege North Campus, School of Coninurng Education & Professo Delpen 11380 NW 27h Avene Ron 1125, Miami FLTe. -305 2371019 ATTENTION BUSINESSES: To sponsor or hosI a xes~.son coit nced@mdc.edu September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Neighborhood Correspondents: BISCAYNE PARK Conjunction Junction Biscayne Park offers few opportunities for casual interaction, but that doesn't mean we should stop trying By Gaspar GonzAlez BT Contributor Where do people go when they leave Biscayne Park? I don't mean leave for the summer, as so many of my neighbors do every year - welcome back, folks or even move away. I'm talking about when they drive out of the cozy confines of our little vil- lage. It's a question I've wondered about for the nearly three years I've lived here. The reason? Because I almost never see anyone from Biscayne Park outside of Biscayne Park. One of the blessings or draw- backs, depending on how you look at it of living here is that we have no commercial outlets. No stores, no gas stations, no banks, no post office. The smallest errand requires one to leave the Park and, most likely, drive in the direc- tion of either North Miami or Miami Shores, our two sister communities. Because we lived there before moving to Biscayne Park, my wife and I usually go south to the Shores. We bank there at two different banks we worship at Miami Shores Community Church, we do our grocery shopping at the Shores Publix, and when we're in the mood for a quick bite, we swing by Norberto's Deli on NE 2nd Avenue (where I recommend the homemade roast beef or, when available, the Cuban-style pork sandwiches). We also do our dry cleaning in the Shores. My toddler attends music classes at Miss Jane's and goes to Shores Pediat- rics when his throat is sore. Our preferred Starbucks is the one on NE 95th Street. Occasionally we'll go to the Miami Shores Country Club on a Friday night. And when we do any of these things, there's a very good chance we'll see our neighbors our old neighbors from the Shores, that is, almost never one of our Biscayne Park neighbors. (The one exception to this is picking up or drop- ping off our son at his preschool, where a number of Biscayne Park families also have children enrolled; so many, in fact, that it might someday occur to officials in Biscayne Park that we could benefit 5 REASUNS WE ARE THE BEST CHUIUE! #1 MI:IT EXPERIENCE ED iIKNOIWLE D[IEAELE STAFF #2 L:I\WEST PRICE -,UARAJNTEE WE MEET OR BEAT ALL LOCAL PRICES* #3 LARGEST SELECTION OF POOL & SSPA PRODUCTS #4 FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED FOR OVER 40 YEARS #5 WE GUARANTEE TO KEEP YOU HAPPY!! *NOT INCLUDING REBATES AND IN STORE ONLY. 1 POOL SERVICE POOL & SPA REPAIRS Dnni DcIlnitATinllQ FUI, i- niLu vni, IUIo Keeping Customers Happy For Over 40 Years Visit our Pool & Spa Showroom 11720 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami, FL 33181 305-893-4036 www.allfloridapool.com service@allfloridapool.com Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 HOT TUBS SWIM SPAS SALT CHLORINATORS HEATERS , 'IL, Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 from having a school here as well.) How odd is that? Well, consider: I go to the Shores Publix three, maybe four times a week. It's a habit I got into living in the urban northeast, first in New York City and later in New Haven, Connecticut. Grocery stores were always conveniently close by and so there was no need to plan meals more than a couple of days in advance. Now that we have a small child, my wife and I make much larger shopping trips than we used to (good luck telling our son we're out of Dora the Explorer yogurt), but we still indulge in being able to decide at the last minute what we might be in the mood for that night. Suffice to say, I'm at the Shores Publix a lot. How many times have I run into someone I know from the Park there (and I know quite a few people)? Twice, I think. Same goes for the bank and the Shores post office, where I'm not sure I've ever encountered anyone I know from the village. I've heard Watergate conspirator E. Howard Hunt who lived a few doors down from my current address used to frequent Norberto's, but I never saw him there and, anyway, Mr. Hunt passed away in 2007. It's enough to make an amateur urban anthropologist wonder: Are Biscayne Park residents more likely to gravitate to North Miami? Before moving here, I wouldn't have guessed that was the case, but it might be. Maybe. I know several people who work in North Miami (more than in Miami Shores), and some village families whose children attend William Jennings Bryan Elementary, which draws them to North Miami five days a week. There's also the Park's Costco army, its troops distinguishable by the 48-count paper towel bundles and 4-for-i juice contain- ers they bring home from their weekend maneuvers on 146th Street. And then there's my own unscien- tific research, by which I mean trips to Ricky Thai Bistro on NE 123rd Street. In contrast to the Shores Publix, it's rare that I walk into Ricky Thai a small restaurant with seating for maybe 30 people and don't see somebody from the village. This includes Commissioner Rox- anna Ross, whom I bumped into at the takeout counter one night. I know what you're thinking. Commissioner Ross is not my biggest fan. Awkward? Not really. It would appear a mutual love of Ricky's pad woon sen and basil fried rice trumps any philosophical differences. (The food is delicious, though given the popularity of the place, one should remember to call well in advance for takeout. Ricky Thai also delivers.) And that brings me to my larger point: That, for all its charms, life in Biscayne Park provides relatively few opportunities for the kinds of informal, serendipitous interactions that make people feel connected to one another. Yes, the village dog-walkers see each other regularly and a lot of the parents do, too; in fact, kids' birthday parties and afternoon play dates account for most of the contact my wife and I have with our neighbors. Otherwise, though, Biscayne Park can feel a lot like the rest of Miami - people living side by side being pulled in opposite directions by work, errands, and other demands of daily existence, then coming home to rest up before head- ing out to their respective corners of the world the next morning. We're not likely to see each other at the local breakfast nook or gas station or bakery because there is no local breakfast nook, gas station, or bakery. For most of us, local is what we make it. That's not a complaint, just a fact in sprawling South Florida. And it might even be more true of Biscayne Park than neighboring commu- nities. Miami Shores has its downtown and Morningside has the 55th Street Sta- tion, while Belle Meade and Palm Grove have the adjacent MiMo District, all of which offer a number of spots where people naturally gather. Biscayne Park, not so much. But maybe that just means we have to work harder to create our own meet- ing places. Now that evening tempera- tures are close to being bearable again, that could be the Tuesday night Biscayne Triangle Truck Round-Up in North Miami, the Museum of Contemporary Art's monthly "Jazz at MOCA" event, or maybe the soon-to-open art-house cinema in the Shores. (See "Roll 'Em," page 46 this issue.) Who knows? If enough of us get out there, we might just run into one other. Feedback: letters@tbiscaynetimes.com . 0 A?0 Y- BROWARD FACTORY SERVICE V WE'RE PROUD OF OUR SERVICE HISTORY! 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COVERAGE INCLUDES Home I4spcin Day or Night SHeating (Gas or Electric Water Healer 40 Gallon5 4 -7 9 79 9 * Wall Thermostatl Disn*asner * Refrigerator Disposal 9540797 0799 * Oven or Range Freon Recovery Herd Enterprises-Florida Licenses: * Air Condhioning (Up lo 3 Tons) CAC056774, CFC056867, ES0000336 September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Neighborhood Correspondents: BELLE MEADE The Morning After Now that county elections are over, it's time for our leaders to get to work By Frank Rollason BT Contributor W ell, another local election cycle has come and gone. Thank- fully, our mayor for the county remains Carlos Gimenez. The result of Norman Braman's quest for ousting four county commissioners stands at zero for four and, most important of all, we are protected, for the time being, from packs of pit bulls roaming the neighborhoods and attacking unsuspecting human inhabitants. District 3 Miami-Dade County Com- missioner Audrey Edmonson faces a runoff in November and I urge our readers to support her; she has been good for the Upper Eastside. On a more local note, we congratulate Belle Meade resident Teresa Pooler on her successful run for a circuit court judgeship well done, Teresa! With the electorate having spoken, what's next for our elected brain trust to tackle? Of course, we expect the same rhetoric about how they are looking out for our best interests by keeping taxes low and staying within budget. I think this topic is wearing a little thin, don't you? It is time our elected officials address some really pressing issues, namely: Crime: You cannot attend a local community meeting without the issue of crime being at the top of the list of con- cerns. I think most of us are rather tired of hearing from our elected officials and our police chiefs that Crime Watch is the answer and "we" need to be more vigilant. No, it is time for the elected of- ficials and the police professionals to do their jobs on behalf of the taxpayers. We are all tired of hearing about the lack of manpower owing to budget con- straints or how the Justice Department has imposed certain hiring restraints as a result of past discriminatory hiring practices. It is time for our leaders to cut through the red tape and get our police forces up to strength in an accelerated manner that is their job and, if they can't make it happen, it's time for them to step aside and bring in a professional team that can get it done. Chronic Homeless Population: We have an ongoing situation in the county PROFESSIONAL HANDYMAN SERVICES Specializing in small projects & repairs, commercial & residential State Licensed General Contractor CGC052795 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 where the population of chronically homeless continues to hover around the 1000 mark, and the excuses from those responsible for eliminating the home- less population as spelled out in the Homeless Trust's mission statement - have become stale. Residents and business owners are tired of excuses and deserve to see significant improvement in this quality-of-life issue. If the current board and administration of the Home- less Trust can't get it done, then they, too, should step aside and allow a new team with a fresh set of eyes to tackle the problem. It is time to fix it. Public Works Infrastructure: The chickens are coming home to roost with all the squandering of funds and the pilfering of cash accounts desig- nated for infrastructure purposes. The county, under Mayor Gimenez, has made some significant strides in cur- tailing the raiding of the piggy bank, but it will not be enough. Like it or not, we are looking at some tax increases necessary to make long overdue repairs as well as upgrade water and sewer capabilities for future growth. What's lacking is the political will to tell the electorate that the tax increases are required to keep our systems operational. Hardly a day goes by that we don't see another water main or sewer line failing as a result of age and deterioration. It's time to fix it, plain and simple. Public Schools: A community's public school system is a component carefully evaluated by companies when deciding whether to relocate to a par- ticular city or town. The bait-and-switch state lottery funding plan for education is now history. Here, in Miami-Dade, our school superintendent has proposed a billion-dollar bond issue to address crumbling schools (another woefully ne- glected infrastructure issue), to expand existing facilities, and to add new facili- ties where the population growth dictates. This question will appear on the November ballot and, hopefully, the electorate will rally behind the effort. But that isn't enough. The superinten- dent needs to plan now for the success of this bond proposal in November. He should broaden the existing lists of approved architects, engineers, and contractors to enable multiple projects to move forward simultaneously. It should not take 10 to 15 years to bring these needed improvements to fruition; the projects of highest prior- ity should already be identified and the trigger ready to be pulled on them by January 2013. I applaud the effort and support the initiative, but let's not let the bureaucracy get in the way. Workforce Housing: Another key element evaluated by companies when considering relocating to a community is the availability of affordable housing for employees. And here we have an increasing problem in our county. We in South Florida are used to a boom-or-bust economy when it comes to housing and construction in general. We need hous- ing that is affordable to the wage earner who makes $50,000 to $75,000 annually. County leaders need to provide signifi- cant economic incentives to their "East- ward, Ho!" mantra, not just lip service. Transportation: Even with the wel- come addition of the airport leg of the Metrorail system and the various rubber- tire trolleys now operating in Miami, one has to admit that our community is woefully lacking in functional public transportation. The half-penny sales tax has been another boondoggle that has not provided the capital infrastructure improvements for which it was designed. It's yet another case of the piggy bank being pilfered to keep current services operational. Certainly, out-of-the-box thinking is required among the transpor- tation professionals here to address how we move masses of people quickly. To the west of Miami-Dade, in Col- lier and Lee counties, there is less expen- sive land that could easily be developed for affordable workforce housing. The trick is how we connect those areas to our urban cores with public transporta- tion moving large numbers of riders quickly between the two points. Not an easy task, but one that must be addressed if South Florida is to remain relevant in the scheme of things. These are all formidable, timely issues requiring the immediate attention of our elected officials. As they say: If it were easy, anyone could do it. But these are the people who have said they want to do it who ran for office promising to do it so do it already. Feedback: letters@tbiscaynetimes.com a .tal option * ORTHOOONTICS BRACES SPECIAL* FREE Consultation with Specialist $0 Down,$99415M nonth September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com General & Gmpwtic Upentistre DR AL x.A'RA GCP.()O [)C 1 September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Neighborhood Correspondents: MIAMI AT LARGE Worse Than Their Bite The ban on pit bulls in Miami-Dade County makes us look like a bunch of ignorant yahoos By Wendy Doscher-Smith BT Contributor Ive got two words for Miami-Dade County: Bite me. Last month, voters chose to keep the countywide pit bull ban These dog haters are crusaders in the name of keeping the county safe from these Vicious Baby Maulers, yet they see anything furry as an equal threat. Those who are so safety-ori- ented also better avoid palm trees. You are more likely to die from an errant coconut smackdown than from a pit bull encounter. Certainly some of these pit bull haters fight to save the lives of unborn children. But unborn children are animals, too. Some of them hurt or kill people. Maybe there should be a kid ban in Miami-Dade. Especially if the kid's parents hail from "undesirable" lineage. The ordinance to repeal the ban was shot down 63.2 percent to 36.8 percent. The ban is a dinosaur old and mis- understood. It exists because of a single incident in Kendall two decades ago, but now Miami-Dade residents think pit bulls don't deserve to live. In neighboring Broward County, pit bulls are allowed. Miami Marlins pitcher Mark Buehrle and his family chose to live in Broward to keep their dog. The Buehrles have two kids, ages three and five, and three other dogs. Says Buehrle's wife, Jamie: "My pit bull is like my other three dogs a part of my family. I would never leave any of my children behind or any of my other dogs." It's a decision she has "never regretted one day of my life." Slater, their two-year-old rescued pit bull, has been their family member since he was six months old, and Buehrle has "never had one issue with him. He is very gentle taking treats, and loves affection." There are also no problems with the Buehrle's other three dogs, all vizslas. The four dogs play and eat well together. Buehrle compares the discrimination of a dog breed to ethic profiling. "It's the same as trying to determine what ethnic- ity causes the most crime in a city simply by the looks of a suspect, and then ban- ning that entire ethnic background from living in that city," Buehrle says. Just like all of us, classical music lives and breathes. Make it part of your lifestyle. Tune to Classical South Florida on the radio or online. It's in your nature. Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 What makes the pit-bull ban more ridiculous is that the pit bull "breed" is a mix of several breeds, has a complicated history, and a wishy-washy, current-day breed description. In Miami-Dade, the pit bull classification is applied to a dog that exhibits at least 70 percent of the features on a 15-point visual checklist for American Staffordshire terriers or Staffordshire bull terriers. The county's 1989 ban is on Ameri- can Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, and mixes of the two breeds. That's like saying, "Well, golly now, any dog with short hair and a muscular build should be banned from the county." The people who make the life-or- death call "are not breed profession- als," says Dahlia Canes, leader of the Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation (MCABSL). Shame on you, Miami-Dade County. Most people in Miami-Dade don't know the history of the original ban. It was voted in after a dog that looked like it might be a pit bull attacked a child in Kendall. (Canes's group is investigating whether that dog was even a pit.) The incident occurred when pit bulls were out of favor; the stigmatizing of pit bulls began in the late 1970s. Notably, the 1989 Miami-Dade breed ban created a stir, and in 1990 led to a statewide law prohibiting any other county from placing restrictions based on breed. But since Miami- Dade was grandfathered in, the law remained active here. The bottom line? "The State of Florida found that this law was so reck- less and discriminatory that it wanted no other county to follow suit," as MCABSL declares on its Facebook page. Canes says the community has been fed in l\ lls and legends" for 23 years. MCABSL has now retained a lawyer who has requested a "sunset review," which affords county commissioners the opportunity to eliminate the ban without it going to the ballot. Canes has little hope the public will ever repeal the ban. "County officials have brainwashed this county against pit bulls," she says. In fact, the wording on last month's ballot doomed the repeal from the start, since "pit bull" and "dangerous" were in the description. The county attorney writes the description, and MCABSL had publicly opposed the wording, to no avail. "This is a banana republic," Canes says. Here's some history: During the first half of the 20th Century, this nation revered pit bulls. Helen Keller had a pit bull. The Little Rascals' pal Petey was a pit bull. But after a series of articles ranin the New York Times, exposing how pit bills were used for dog fighting, the country began its anti-pitty (no pun intended) war. Since then, the media has bled negative pit bull ink. The result: Plenty of people feel pit bulls should be banned simply because they are "born evil." Some insist that pit bulls are owned by unsavory characters who raise the animals to kill. I have been active in the dog communi- ty as a groomer, rescue worker, pet photog- rapher, and animal advocate for years now, and I can tell you that is not correct. Or at least I have never met a killer pit bull. According to the American Kennel Club's The Complete Dog Book, which is recognized as the worldwide author- ity on pure-breed physical attributes, standards, and temperaments, the pit bull is really an American Staffordshire Terrier and is described as "docile." The AKC adds that "the good qualities of the breed are many, and it would be dif- ficult for anyone to overstress them." Furthermore, in April the American Veterinary Medical Association conduct- ed a study called "The Role of Breed in Dog Bite Risk and Prevention." The study states that, "based on behavioral assess- ments and owner surveys, the breeds that were more aggressive toward people were small to medium-size dogs such as the collies, toy breeds, and spaniels." The same study found that on\ In i. of pit bull-type dogs deal with a strong breed stigma; however, controlled stud- ies have not identified this breed group as disproportionately dangerous." In addition, the study concluded that "the pit bull type is particularly ambigu- ous as a 'breed' encompassing a range of pedigree breeds, informal types, and appearances that cannot be reliably iden- tified. Visual determination of dog breed is known to not always be reliable. And witnesses may be predisposed to assume that a vicious dog is of this type." Seems to me, given the facts, it's high time to reconsider banning pit bulls in Miami-Dade. But then, I also believe the earth is round. Feedback: letters@tbiscaynetimes.com & S f,>/lw,^ (it AA.n.m ( / "W / Certified to Issue 1-20 Visa or ACADEMY Qualified Foreign Scudents Cus.ownlzed Tests and Placement to Meet Student'sAcademic Needs Low Stulent o Te;uher RatrloAllowing A Maxim lindividiulization G dua cognzed by ACADEMW Leading rsen Courses. t by fied and Founded in 1983 Epmal a ze fAreatest 3 ,.94 0.3 922 rSch FPr m a Cla.eJ1 SpbJntl: * .1 www.AllisonAcadenmy.om AllionAc"ad meiAttlsoAcadenw .co c...credited byAISF. SACSCA51. AdvancED. M5A Certified b, NCPSA Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com 65 September 2012 .i I k Neighborhood Correspondents: AVENTURA Get on the Bus Our correspondent goes the mass transportation route in Aventura By Shari Lynn Rothstein-Kramer BT Contributor When I lived in Manhattan, taking public transporta- tion was as commonplace as breathing. It was part of the daily routine: Get up, brush teeth, shower, get dressed, leave rent-controlled apartment, and head for work via subway or the bus. And then I moved to Florida. Every- thing was different. Sure, there are buses and trains here, but it's not the same. What is a way of life in one place simply isn't cool someplace else. As a matter of fact, since moving down more than 11 years ago, I've lived in Boca, Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, and Aventura, and have not set foot on a bus anywhere. Until today. It started with my walking to places whenever possible. But there really aren't many places you can get to from my condo. Well, actually there are plenty of places to go, but not within a reasonable walking distance. People in Aventura drive. They drive Maseratis, Aston Martins, Bentleys, Range Rovers, and... you get the drift. They drive really nice vehicles. They don't think about using public transportation. Anyway, my difficulty in walking anywhere got me to thinking about how the people who don't drive get from here to there in this town (or anywhere else in South Florida). I knew of the Aventura Express. I've watched the buses pull into Mystic Pointe (when I used to live there) and have seen them at Publix, but I never thought much about them. As far as I knew, it was a service for the elderly and handicapped neither of which applies to me so it was irrelevant. But you never know. To be fore- warned is forearmed. I decided to check it out. I went to Aventura's Website to see what the deal was, and you know what I found? Not only does the City of Excellence have its own police force and firefighters, but there's a bus service Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.comSeptember 2012 SHISORnIC RETEMNT RESIDENCE 'Jiusit like 1h iw in ytnor iirJ.rit' bcl nd f-d ,'rctA/'d i fll. !i1L 1',11 .i j -- - -- I- FiayOiakstHoni@gm iiJ.com 43 ,Exple, ~r > reira f tirctengl 3 upl tiN LU ayalb LoJY0 n.cL 435 Northcafl _H4[h Strwl Miami, I'.rid 33137 As.istedi Uvin, UceLr.se t 51< INSURANCE COVERAGE AND BAD FAITH We represent individual and corporate policyholders in disputes with insurance companies. VER PLOEG LUMPKIN Helping businesses and individuals in coverage and bad faith disputes with their insurance companies since 1995. For more information about our practice, please visit our website at www.vpl-law.com or call us at 305.577.3996 30th Floor I 100 SE Second Street Miami, Florida 33131 The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 dedicated to shuttling the town's resi- dents wherever they want to go, as long as it is within city limits. The Aventura Express consists of multiple lines: blue, green, red, purple, yellow, and the Saturday Night North and South expresses. Blue buses serve northern Aventura, purple and yellow service southern, and green and red lines cover central. Each runs hourly. The buses run year-round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. And the best part is, it's free. That is, as long as you don't need to leave the city. If you do, that's another story and another bus altogether. You can connect to Miami-Dade and Broward Transit buses via various stops. Each line of the Aventura Express is designed to pick up and drop off passen- gers at the town's popular condos. The buses service the most frequented places in town, including government build- ings, Loehmann's, Publix, Walgreens, Pier 1, the Promenade Shops, Aventura Commons, Waterways, Mount Sinai, and more. The different lines can be sort of confusing, but for those who need a ride, it's worth the effort. On my first attempt to crack the route code, I discovered that purple and yellow are my main lines, but I couldn't decipher whether the front or rear of Publix would put me where I needed to be to catch my very first bus - so I made my husband drive me, just to be safe. (Which defeats the whole point, I know.) After reading the bus signs and hoping for the best, I chose the front of the store and sent hubby home. If I was ever going to do this, I had to venture forth alone. There was a lady waiting at the stop. She had her groceries in a cart. "Is this the bus stop?" I asked. "It is." She seemed willing to chat. This was my chance. "Do you take the bus often?" I asked her. "I do," said Ava, the first of many folks I met during my day of exploration. She was already warming up to me. "I take it every day. It's wonderful clean, on time, convenient. I don't drive, so it takes me everywhere I need to go." "Oh, wow," I said. "Do you know if it will take me to the mall? This is my first time." "Ever?" she cooed. "Oh, you're going to love it. Everybody rides it. There are buses to take you everywhere. No matter where you live, you can get to where you want to go." "That's within Aventura, though, right?" "Where else would you need to go?" she asked, truly surprised. And with that, the bus pulled up. I have to admit, taking the bus felt a little strange. It's quite a change from hopping in my car and just zooming off to where I want to go, when I want to go. Using the system takes some learning, planning, and patience (the latter two not being specialties of mine). There's a lot of waiting, finding the right bus, deciding which is the easiest stop to use, finding the correct times (especially if you want to transfer to another bus), and most of all, being on time, because the bus is not going to wait for anyone. The "mini" bus, which held perhaps 20 people, was immaculate. Like most things in Aventura, the bus was so well cared for it looked brand-new. Our driver, Sam, welcomed me on while helping Ava with her groceries; he remained chatty the whole ride. The mix of riders - young, old, kind, snooty, African- American, Latino, Caucasian, Jewish - covered all the bases. I saw diversity at its finest. Seriously. Before I knew it, 13 minutes had flown by and I was at the mall. Sam told me he'd be back at 1:45 p.m. and every 45 minutes after that. And with that, I shopped for two hours before re- turning to the bus stop. At 1:45 p.m. sharp, Sam was there, just as he'd promised. The Publix was the first stop on the yellow line, but the 15th stop on the purple line. (Just part of the learning experience.) I got off there and, while I walked home, I thought about the day. And the bus. It's an excellent resource for those who can't, don't, or won't drive. It's also ideal for teens who want their first taste of independence and older folks who want to keep theirs. And of course, it's perfect for those who may not have a car. Aventura really does take good care of its residents. And while it was fun experimenting, for now, I think I'll leave the bus to those who really need it. Feedback: letters @biscaynetimes.com ENTERTAINMENT.. 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This is a banner season for science, with the Curiosity rover digging up fresh secrets from Mars, with the Higgs boson potentially unlocking the key to matter, with revelations about the human micro- biome multiplying our knowledge of what makes us human and opening the way to new medical cures. This year, STEM (sci- ence, technology, engineering, and math) is the Big Man (or Woman) on Campus. sixth-graders prepare to send a This year is also the 55th anniver- sary of Sputnik, the Soviet satellite that set off an American panic, launched the space race, and introduced a generation of flummoxed third-grade baby boomers to Venn diagrams and polynomials. So call this one "Schoolnik," only this time it's the kids in North Miami rather than the Russians or Chinese who are at the controls. But first let's start with the radio station. The kids built it with help from prize-winning sixth-grade science teacher Laurie Futterman and David Lawrence dad John Escobar, an electri- cal engineer and Miami-Dade Schools' "Volunteer of the Year" for 2011-2012. Not only did the "Green Team" from Laurie Futterman's grades six through eight science class assemble and paint the tower and install the wind turbines We accept only the finest furniture, accessories, crystal, porcelain collectables, chandeliers, lamps, and unusual decor. Our normal starting prices are approximately 50% off retail. Everything is negotiable! We also offer: Quick Liquidation Services Estate and Business Auctions Next Day Pickup Please stop in. We would love to introduce ourselves! 360 Furniture Consignments, Inc. 18340 W. Dixie Highway Aventura, FL 33160 305.627,3148 www. 36 OFurnitureConsi gnments. com ., Schoolnik kids: The DLK-8 "Green Team" with John Escobar and Laurie Futterman (right). and solar panel powering the station (which is not on the electrical grid), they soldered and wired the components of the transmitter, built the battery, wired the semiconductors connecting to the turbines which they also assembled screw by screw and built the solar panel that serves as backup. Futterman, a life force in herself, and Escobar, who left Chile 11 years ago and is the parent of a fourth-grader, have pushed and prodded each other, the students, and even the principal to come up with greater things. In 2010-2011, they built a solar-pow- ered waterfall in front of the school. In Maintenance Janitorial Floors Carpets GRINDING AND RESTORATION OF TERRAZO, MARBLE, CUBAN TILE, CONCRETE OR STAINED CONCRETE. WE CAN RESTORE YOUR TRAFFIC WORN CARPETS USING 'HOST DRY CARPET CLEANING SYSTEM' SPECIAL OFFER $50 OFF Residential and Commercial Services 9300 minimum; Valid on Rug and Roor Cleaning orWindow and Pressure Cleaning with this ad. We also specialize in e ,. Renovation & Construction Cleaning, S& Janitorial Services. CALL NOW FOR A FREE ESTIMATE! Dart Maintenance is going green along with our affiliation with Brulin Products, and uses green products to protect you and our environment. Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 2011-2012, it was the radio station. Next year, 2012-2013, it's the satellite. The kids will decide what it does. It could take and send pictures and videos and transmit them to earth, send a message to the world in different languages encour- aging students to study science, track animal migrations or storms, measure space temperature or solar radiation, or study the propagation of sound in space. "I always say, 'The sky's the limit,'" says Escobar, who has come by the school with Futterman and her son Max on this broiling Sunday afternoon just before the school year ends to put some final assembly touches on the radio tower. "I'm 40 years old, but I'm really like a kid. I grew up in a Third-World country and dreamed of space. As far as we know, no K-8 school has sent a satel- lite into space." (Truth to tell, Escobar came up with the name "Schoolnik.") The mold-breaking Futterman-Esco- bar-DLK-8 "Green Team" has certainly caught the attention of principal Bernard Osborn with its constant pushing and stretching of limits, applying for grants, and dealing with the powers-that-be downtown. "She's a pain, but she's a good pain," Osborn says of Futterman. "We've helped turn Mr. Osborn around," Escobar confides. "When we recently talked about getting an airplane for thermodynamics, he stopped at first, but after about 30 seconds, he said, 'That might be cool.' It used to take a lot longer." Wearing a sweat-soaked, brown T-shirt reading "American-made, start to finish" with engineer renderings of circa- 1958 pickup trucks, Escobar takes a swig of water. "I'm in electrical engineering, and we process automated systems," he says. "In my industry, they're crying, saying, 'We need half a million workers.' "A big part of why this country is fall- ing behind technologically is that we're not educating people in this way. It's not like the 1950s or 1960s, when you'd get a ham radio kit. Kids don't learn to make things. We didn't buy the transmitter. We built the transmitter. At the beginning of this project, we had kids who never had to use any kind of tool at all. "Here [at David Lawrence], people are allowed to fail. When they fail, they learn more. When they do, they find out why. Others on the team get involved to find out how to fix the failure. They really enjoy what they're doing. It takes patience." At least three kids have caught the bug: Ryan Chierico, Mark Sanzetenea, and Anika Augustin. Undoubtedly more will follow. "I've learned to do all sorts of things here," says Mark, who wants to take up en- gineering and is going to Washington, D.C., in December for a national competition in which he has entered his bridge designs. All this work also takes money. Everyone knows that school budgets are tight, so Escobar and Futterman worked with the kids and found corpo- rate partners. Grants from Florida Power and Light funded the solar waterfall and radio tower. Verizon funded wind tur- bines and paid for the materials for the solar-powered waterfall in 2010-2011. All told, the cost of building the radio station ran $9600, with $8000 coming from Verizon for the wind turbine and $1600 from FPL for the radio tower. "I'm trying not to waste money," Futterman says. "We're trying to be careful with our money. We want to use it to build the curriculum." For the satellite, Escobar secured nearly $9000 from a business colleague in Weston. Now the class is set to put together a satellite payload launched by Inter-Orbital of Mojave, California. For help with the satellite, Futterman and Escobar have reached out to Mark Gott- fried, a biology teacher at Alonzo and Tracy Mourning High School across the street, and professor Shekhar Bhansali, chairman of the department of electrical and com- puter engineering at Florida International University, which has its Biscayne Bay Campus right around the corer. You could almost call the effort a bottom-up attempt at building FIU president Mark Rosenberg's cooperative "educational village" in that nook of North Miami sandwiched by Oleta River State Park and Biscayne Landing. David Lawrence, the former Miami Herald publisher-turned-child-advocate, has taken notice of the goings-on at the school named for him and has even visited Escobar at his home. We'll leave him with the last word. "It's just amazing to me," Lawrence says. "You'd think this is the kind of thing kids at Stanford or MIT would do. And the students have been generally turned on by this. Isn't that stunning?" Feedback: letters(@ibiscaynetimes.com PI v -11 ^^^S HMTB:TnT~trrT~cIrd'Iteg?1rit Speci n in ress & A y A AW S G I ii~l Mt P i F U September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART ... NORTH MIAMI 770 NE 125th Street, North Miami, FL 33161 , AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS ...:" FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS mo Creative Career Training, Film, Women on the Rise!, Art and Culture of Hip Hop. Fashion Design. Digital Journalism. ... Photography, Painting, Drawing. Cl5 rnelI veEilvy Cormrimunir, Seric, Cred-,t biariEc, App1ici, ,eQurEd cI j Visit www.mocanomi.org or call 305 893 6211. MADE POSSIBLEBY: If Knight Foundation MOCA Education programs are funded in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment of the Arts, with the additional support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the MiamirDade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, the Irma Braman Creative Arts Scholarship Fund, Micky and Madeleine Arson Family Foundation, and The Children's Trust. The Children's Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in MiamiDade County, the Arnold S. Katz Endowment, City of North Miami, Jan & Dan Lewis, Bank of America, Ethel & W. George Kennedy Family Foundation, Peacock Foundation, the Columbine Foundation, The Fine and Greenwald Foundation, Bloomingdale's and Macys. MOCA Art Institute is funded by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as part of its Knight Arts Challenge. The Museum of Contemporary Art is accredited by the American Association of Museums September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Neighborhood Correspondents: MIAMI SHORES My House Is Your House Our correspondent has an unexpected encounter with her home's previous owner By Jen Karetnick BT Contributor Every time we passed by the town where my dad grew up say, on the way to the airport or to a certain restaurant we all loved he would make the same joke. Hillside, New Jersey, was only about half an hour from Livingston, where we lived. But it was a world away in socio-economic status. It always felt like visiting a foreign country when we'd cruise down his old street, and we kids were enthusiastic but also uneasy at the prospect he raised with his humor. "Wouldn't it be funny," he'd say, "if I knocked on the door, told whoever lived there that I left a quarter under my mattress when we moved out, and asked if I could have it back?" I never considered the fact that he moved his bed and mattress with him. Instead I pondered the reception he might receive. Would the people who oc- cupied the house want to meet my father? Were they curious about who resided there before them, about who might have left that stain on the wall or broken the bottom step? Would they find it odd that immigrant Jews had lived in what had become a largely African-American neighborhood? Or would they simply not care, having considered the residence a blank canvas when they came upon it, ready to be marked with the colors of their own lives? Of course, this event never came to pass, but I was reminded of the pos- sibility when I was procrastinating on Facebook this summer. Red Light chef-owner Kris Wessel had just been by to collect mangos at my frantic urg- ings, this past June being one of those free-fruit-for-alls and he posted some pictures of them, as well as the items he was making with them, to entice custom- ers. I commented on the images, writing something like, "Hey, that's my house!" And so did another woman, Vala Baggett Kodish, who countered with something like: "Hey, that's my old house!" Because you never really know someone on Facebook, our initial public conversation stuck to mangos and restau- rants how she dealt with so many (she hired pickers to sell them) and how she knew Wessel (she loves food). As we became friendlier, however, it became clear that Kodish and I have many things in common. I teach at a school for the arts; her kids attended one. I write and she writes for the weekly COMPLETE BUSINESS SERVICES Est. 1980 Barbara Zeeman & Nancy Goldring * MAILBOX RENTAL * 24-HOUR ACCESS * PACKING SUPPLIES * NOTARY * STAMPS * PASSPORT PHOTOS * FAX & COPY SERVICE Fec3_ -- LAUt Authorized Ship Center Authorized Shipping Outlet Authorized Shipping Center Seyol Bld 1. -tFor t.19-3 .E tSre 1255sisaynyBve Times1826 *wwWWW.FREDDYscmSJEptEmber.201 Norh Mam, F 3381259 ,,NITEQ TE Te:30-956741Fa:30-91245O A ERIE Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 SunPost, on music. In fact, her pas- sion is music the way mine is food, and she and Wessel are hoping to open an acoustic lounge in the basement of Red Light once they find an investor. And for a main profession, she has turned to the arts once again, running a business called Flash Pop, which is a new kind of portable photo booth, where the back- ground is pure white with no shadows, great for parties and other events. Being only the second real owner of Mango House, Kodish was able to fill me in on much of its history, how it went from being a mango picker's cottage on a plantation next to a canal to a suburban house. She and her husband, now di- vorced, bought it from a couple moving to Colorado. It was that couple, Kodish says, who took what was basically a shack with no plumbing or running water and made it into a home. She can't recall their names, but remembers them as New Age hippies, proof of which is embedded in the Flor- ida room large quartz crystals, which are said to store, amplify, and transmit energy that enhances thoughts, emotions, and finances. Those crystals were also present in the columns that made up the garage, which the owner immediately before us tore down and replaced with wood columns. Kodish was able to show us exactly what had been added to and what had been kept original in the house, and in turn we were able to welcome her back to what was once her home and offei her the chance to find that proverbial quarter. Did this make her feel sen- timental? Nostalgic? No doubt. She mourned her country-style kitchen with a breakfast bar; it now has urban granite and pol- ished cabinets with a separate breakfast room. She also tsk'ed over the deck, which she had built to be surrounded on both sides wit fruit-producing trees. Now it's backed against what is an elaborate addition thf took out seven of those trees and blocks the view of the street. I think I might have liked her versic of the house with the crystal-coral garage columns, a deck with a 270- degree view, and 18 mango trees -jusl fine. For sure I would have appreciated the house more without the wood panel- ing that the previous owner put up. For the third time since we moved in, it's rotting, and we're investing a chunk of my annual salary to fix it. We're also ad- dressing termite damage in the window frames, repairing a roof leak, and refinishing the Dade County pine floor, r all in an attempt to keep the place from reverting to the shack it once was. She was able to tell me how the property had gone from a mango picker's cottage to a suburban house. h Of course, once you buy a house in Miami Shores, there's no looking at back, only ahead. For the past several years, that looking ahead has been a dismal sight: bills piling up, declining n property values, and rising taxes. Miami Shores, like many other small communi- ties all over the country, has been stuck t in a decline worse, as we all have realized, than the one at the turn of the millennium, which is the last time hous- ing prices in the Shores fell so steeply. But maybe there's a change under- way. I didn't really register how few house-for-sale signs I'd seen around town until we got a call from George6 Kluck, the Realtor who sold us Mango House. She was checking to see if anyone was looking to sell their house in the area; if we knew of someone, we should refer them to her. My husband and I were both sort of dumbfounded. Sell? Isn't it a buyer's market, so flooded that it doesn't make sense to list your house unless you get transferred or you're about to go into foreclosure? The flat-out answer is nope, not any longer. Kluck told Jon that there are fewer than 40 houses for sale in Miami Shores. The point being, if you want to have the luxury of reconnecting with your old house in the Shores someday and perhaps even becoming friends with the current occupant you have to buy one first. And by the looks of things, that op- portunity is going to be hard to come by. Feedback: letters@ibiscaynetimes.com IRVING BERLIN'S The same movie that opened this theater in 1946! STARRING ONE NIGHT BING CROSBY FRED ASTAIRE ONiY JOAN CAULFIELD I ITC 9806 NE 2nd Ave miami theater center Miami Shores, FL 33138 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com 71 September 2012 1 Qk Culture: THE ARTS Indie Screen Star Wynwood's 0 Cinema is bringing Miami's north side By Anne Tschida BT Arts Editor he 0 Cinema independent movie theater in Wynwood opened about a year and a half ago, on Febru- ary 24, 2011, to be exact. It was a much anticipated opening for an area trying to cement itself as an arts and cultural hub. With a big Knight Foundation Arts Challenge grant, O Cinema would be more than a place to show art films. It would add to the scene by mixing in art shows, studios, and interactive evenings (some very late-night ones, at that). The debut film was Mississippi Damned, a gritty, hard-luck story about three African-American kids trying to find a way out of the dead-end delta. Next month, on October 13, O Cinema will expand to Miami Shores, through a partnership with the newly formed Miami Theater Center (MTC) - which includes the former PlayGround Theatre to show approximately 250 films a year there. That's quite a leap for the young organization, and quite a change for an area of Miami that has been bereft of film screenings for far too long. (See "Roll 'Em," page 46 this issue.) Independent movie houses are notoriously hard to maintain and fund, not just in Miami-Dade, but the nation over, which is why the Knight grant was an essential kick-start to get a theater up, moving, then running with interesting programming. the art-house experience to With some fits and starts, O Cinema got there. In its short life, some of the cinema's more successful screenings have been indie and alt-art films. One film that O Cinema brought back four times was the documentary Bill Cunningham: New York, which followed the downtown life of the New York Times fashion photog- rapher. Another audience winner: Crazy Horse, about the ultra-chic, Parisian nude-dancing club. In keeping with the ambiance of the French film, the theater served Champagne, according to co- founder and director Vivian Marthell. Marthell has been an active partici- pant in the Miami art scene for years as a visual artist and co-director of the (now defunct) alternative gallery space Lab6 and former staff member at the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Along with Kareem Tabsch, she was determined to bring foreign, inde- pendent, and art films to the burgeoning north side of Miami. With the $400,000 matching Knight grant, Marthell and Tabsch opened up in a former gallery space across the street from the Rubell Family Collection on NW 29th Street. The cinema has a screening room, a bar, and smaller rooms that can be rented out as commercial or studio space. "There was a learning curve, that's true," says Marthell about starting up O Cinema. "Unlike other cities, Miami is a special creature," she explains. "Some films that may be great for Boston may 0 Cinema's founders: Vivian Marthell and Kareem Tabsch. Cozy: 0 Cinema features 50 cushy seats, arranged stadium-style. WORSHIP TIMES SUNDAY Infornial 8::?0..nm Tr.aditiI'ii.l 11:0O ..1in WEDNESDAY Bible Studs 6:30Lpri , f11..,"S" [ lll I,. ll I.:m i Ilm .," ,..,ll'l A welcoming space to discover or reconnect with CATCH WORSHIP God and fellowship with like-minded singles BEFORE THE and families. Whether in flip-flops and shorts or GAME! a three-piece suit, you're invited! ACROSS FROM BAYSIDE FREE PARKING ON 5th St. NURSERY AVAILABLE FOR 11:00am WORSHIP Visit us on the web anytime! www.FUMCmiami.com Sundays at 11:00am /FUMCmiai /FUMCmiami Or Sundays at 8:30am for Iyou tailgaters out there! __ _i I 11 1' Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Opening september 14: Marina Abramovic the Artist Is Present. In the spirit of the neighborhood, 0 Cinema's facade is a work of art. not be so great for here. We bring in films that are conducive to quirky side events with the screenings." The result is a mixture of local, national, and international productions, which lend themselves to extracurricular activities. For instance, to accompany the showing of The Weird World of Blowfly (covered by the BT in "Nasty as Ever, and Not Yet Through," Septem- ber 2011), about Miami's original dirty rapper, the cinema had DJ Le Spam spin early '70s records after the screening. Another big hit for the cinema, ac- cording to Marthell, was also related to music the documentary Marley, which the cinema complemented by serving a Jamaican-style dinner at one of the screenings. It also had success with Square Grouper, about the marijuana trade in our state, from Rakontur, the creators of Cocaine Cowboys. All of the aforementioned films, in- terestingly enough, are documentaries, a genre that has gained prominence in the past decade, but which remains an art- house staple. One fictional standout for O Cinema, says Marthell, was the dark and disturbing latest venture from Lars von Trier, Melancholia. In order to pinpoint specific offer- ings and then track them down, Marthell and Tabsch attend film festivals and panels around the country, hoping to get provocative, first-run films that will premiere here in South Florida. (Com- petition chiefly comes from the Miami Beach Cinematheque and the newly opened Coral Gables Art Cinema for premieres, although many of the films end up making the rounds of indie-hous- es across the nation.) Kicking off in August, O Cinema added an art series (not arty films, but films about art) in collaboration with the nonprofit gallery Locust Projects, with an opening night that included a dinner catered by Harry's Pizzeria. The inaugural film was Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, a riveting documentary about the Chinese artist and activist, the man behind such internationally famous installations as Sun Flower Seeds, which covered the Tate Modern in London, and the Beijing National Stadium known as the Bird's Nest, unveiled for the Olympics in 2008. (Ai would eventu- ally be locked up for his outspoken criticism of the Chinese regime.) Next up in this series: Another criti- cally acclaimed film, about performance artist Marina Abramovic, opening September 14, followed by a film about thefin-de-siecle Viennese bad boy Egon Schiele, Portrait of Wally. And of course there's the new ar- rangement with Miami Theater Center, where O Cinema will show movies Thursday through Sundays. For its first screening in the new setting, O Cinema has chosen Blue Skies, which was the film that opened the Miami Theater Center's home, previously the Shores Theater, in 1946, when the large, single- screen theater was advertised as "the ultimate in sound reproduction" and was air conditioned. (Imagine that!) The movie is a Technicolor musical starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Joan Caulfield. The screening on October 13, says Marthell, is a "tipping of the hat to the origins of this theater." As this inaugural movie suggests, the offerings in Miami Shores will be more family oriented from classics and documentaries to first-runs and somewhat less experimental than what will be shown farther south in Wynwood. "But we will continue to include 'value- added' stuff like we do in Wynwood," explains Marthell. "We'll have sing- alongs and other events to coincide with the screenings." Back in Wynwood, O Cinema will jumpstart September with an interactive series titled "I'm Not Gonna Move to L.A.," a reference to the spate of Miami artists who have recently transplanted to the West Coast. The night will feature sc\ c n local filmmakers, one band, one comedian, and one food truck" for a three-hour happening on Wednesday, September 5. Says Marthell: "We're trying to bring as much to this area of Miami as we can. 0 Cinema, 90 NW 29th St., 305-571- 9970; www.o-cinema.org. Feedback: letters(ibbiscaynetimes.com MIAMI RESIDENT DISCOUNT City of Miami residents receive 20% discount on on-street Pay By Phone parking. Not valid with other discount programs. To register contact MPA Customer Service. For more information, visit www.miamiparking.com. Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com SAVE ON PARKING IN THE CITY OF MIAMI September 2012 1 "11 Culture: GALLERIES + MUSEUMS WYNWOOD GALLERY WALK & DESIGN DISTRICT ART + DESIGN NIGHT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 GALLERIES 101/EXHIBIT 101 NE 40th St, Miami 305-573-2101 www 101exhibit com September 7 through 30 "Urban Narrative" with Claudlo Ethos and Ruben Ublera Reception September 7, 7 to 11 p.m. 12345 WEST DIXIE STUDIO AND GALLERY 12345 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami 305-895-2553 www dlxielmageworks com September 19 through 28 "Yo MOMMA in the House" by Myra Wexler and David Siquelros Reception September 19, 6 to 10 p.m. ABBA FINE ART 233 NW 36th St, Miami 305-576-4278 www abbafineart com September 8 through November 17 "Mother, Why Did You Abort Me?" by Debra Holt Reception September 8, 7 to 10 p.m. ACND GALLERY OF ART 4949 NE 2nd Ave, Miami 305-751-8367 www acnd net September 15 through November 3 "Renewed Glory" by Caryne Havican Mender Reception September 15, 7 to 9 p.m. ALBERTO LINERO GALLERY 2294 NW 2nd Ave, Miami 786-287-7789 www albertolnerogallery com September 1 through 30 "Releve" with Pedro Sandoval, Xible Correa, Matachos Art, Romgo, Breceda, Daro, Luls Jimenez, and Santiago Betancur Reception September 8, 5 to 10 p.m. ALEJANDRA VON HARTZ FINE ARTS 2630 NW 2nd Ave, Miami 305-438-0220 www alejandravonhartz net September 20 through November 24 "Other Impertinences" by Ana Tiscornia "Evidence Multlgrade Light" by Juan Pablo Garza, curated by Ruth Auerbach Reception September 20, 6 to 9 p.m. ART FUSION 1 NE 40th St, Miami 305-573-5730 www artfusiongallery com Through September 17 "Reflections and Passions" with various artists ART NOUVEAU GALLERY 348 NW 29th St, Miami 305-573-4661 www artnouveaugaleria com Call gallery for exhibition information ASCASO GALLERY 2441 NW2nd Ave, Miami 305-571-9410 www ascasogallery com Through September 30 "Color Sobre Color" by Jesus Soto BAKEHOUSE ART COMPLEX 561 NW32nd St, Miami 305-576-2828 www bacfl org September 14 through October 5 "From Blonde to Brunette But Still Curly" with various artists Reception September 14, 7 to 10 p.m. BLACK SQUARE GALLERY 2248 NW 1st PI, Miami 786-999-9735 www blacksquaregallery com Through September 5 "Summer Reading" with Claire Satin, Kyu Hak Lee, Pablo Lehmann, Patrizla Glambl, Ryan McCann, SYN Group, and Tony Vazquez September 8 through October 9 "Disorderly Conduct" by Shonagh Adelman Reception September 8, 5 to 9 p.m. BORINQUEN ART GALLERY 100 NE 38th St, Miami 305-491-1526 www borinquenhealth org Call gallery for exhibition information BRIDGE RED STUDIOS / PROJECT SPACE 12425 NE 13th Ave #5, North Miami 305-978-4856 www bridgeredstudlos com September 9 through November 11 "Robert Flynn, Paintings and Drawings" by Robert Flynn Reception September 9, 6 to 9 p.m. CAROL JAZZAR CONTEMPORARY ART 158 NW91st St, Miami Shores 305-490-6906 www cjazzart com By appointment carol@cjazzart com Call gallery for exhibition information CHAREST-WEINBERG GALLERY 250 NW23rd St, Miami 305-292-0411 www charestwelnberg com September 22 through October 31 "No Kill" with various artists Reception September 22, 7 to 10 p.m. CS GALLERY 787 NE 125th St North Miami 305-308-6561 www chirinossanchez com Ongoing "Group Show" with various artists CURATOR'S VOICE ART PROJECTS 2509 NW 2nd Ave, Miami 786-357-0568 www curatorsvoiceartprojects com Call gallery for exhibition information DAVID CASTILLO GALLERY 2234 NW 2nd Ave, Miami 305-573-8110 www davidcastillogallery com September 8 through October 6 Adler Guerrier DIANA LOWENSTEIN FINE ARTS 2043 N Miami Ave, Miami 305-576-1804 Farley Aguilar, Please, Do Not Wake, ink on mylar, 2012, at Spinello Projects. September 8 through October 6 "Gallery Group Show" with various artists DIASPORA VIBE GALLERY 3938 N Miami Ave, Miami 786-536-7801 www diasporavibe net Call gallery for exhibition information DINA MITRANI GALLERY 2620 NW 2nd Ave, Miami 786-486-7248 www dinamitranlgallery com September 7 through November 2 "Light in the Shadows" with William Maguire and Roberto Riverti Reception September 6, 7 to 10 p.m. DORSCH GALLERY 151 NW 24th St, Miami 305-576-1278 www dorschgallery com Call gallery for exhibition information DOT FIFTYONE ART SPACE 51 NW 36th St, Miami 305-573-9994, www dotfiftyone com September 14 through November 12 "Languade of Silence" by Lydia Azout "Repossessed" by Gulllermo Riveros Reception September 15, 7 to 10 p.m. ELITE ART EDITIONS 46 NW 36th St, Miami 754-422-5942 www elitearteditions com Call gallery for exhibition information ETRA FINE ART 50 NE 40th St, Miami 305-438-4383 www etrafineart com Through September 7 "Summer Group Show" with Hunt Slonem, Titl Kerndt, Fahar AI-Sallh, Yoko Iwanaga, and Andrea Dasha Reich September 6 through 8 "WinePhoto 2012 An International Photography Exhibit" with various artists Reception September 8, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. FREDRIC SNITZER GALLERY 2247 NW 1st PI, Miami 305-448-8976 www snitzer com Call gallery for exhibition information Yoiur h[ve hi righ [ o b 1001 peren s fied wt th Hm H I io 1 IIeieLO1I ve1* I I I rrt. in At. LI .I IA Accessible " Home Health Care "pk Guarantee Comassionate Care" KIN/L IN Wound Care Private Uuty Nursing bathing/uressing Medication Management Meal Preparation Transportation Therapy Services Driving Service Biscaene Times0 Serving September 2012 #2999938 ^HBimfIBI ^5Tl. ^^i^^E^ I "We provide Free Consultation for all of Our Clients Prior Service!" wJ.,--ii Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 GALLERY 212 MIAMI CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY 2407 NW 2nd Ave, Miami 786-431-1957 www gallery212miaml com Call gallery for exhibition information GALLERY DIET 174 NW 23rd St, Miami 305-571-2288 www gallerydlet com September 7 through October 13 "Surface Tension" by Emmett Moore Reception September 7, 6 to 9 p.m. GARY NADER FINE ART 62 NE 27th St, Miami 305-576-0256 www garynader com Call gallery for exhibition information HARDCORE ARTS CONTEMPORARY SPACE 3326 N Miami Ave, Miami 305-576-1645 www hardcoreartmiami com Through October 6 "Radical Genealogy The Decline of Dauphins, Courtesans, and Hounds" by Carlos Gamez de Francisco, curated by Adriana Herrera and Willy Castellanos of the Aluna Curatorial Collective HAROLD GOLEN GALLERY 2294 NW 2nd Ave, Miami 305-989-3359 www haroldgolengallery com Call gallery for exhibition information IDEOBOX ARTSPACE 2417 N Miaml Ave Mami 305-576-9878 www ideobox com Call gallery for exhibition information KABE CONTEMPORARY 123 NW 23rd St, Miami 305-573-8142 www kabecontemporary com September 8 through October 26 "Waiting 4 Oracle (1560-2012)" by Luca Pozzi Reception September 8, 6 to 9 p.m. KAVACHNINA CONTEMPORARY 46 NW 36th St, Miami 305-448-2060 www kavachnina com Call gallery for exhibition information KELLEY ROY GALLERY 50 NE 29th St, Miami 305-447-3888 www kelleyroygallery com September 8 through 29 "Revelations" by Dolly Moreno Reception September 8, 2 to 9 p.m. KIWI GALLERY 48 NW 29th St, Miami 305-200-3047 www klwlartsgroup com Ongoing William John Kennedy's Fine Art Photography Collection of Early Pop Artists LELIA MORDOCH GALLERY 2300 N Miami Ave, Miami 786-431-1506 -U, ;. 1 -- .Ir rt. Ir I I L i * 'I 'A Robert Flynn, Untitled, oil on canvas, 1999, at Bridge Red Studios/ Project Space. www galerleleliamordoch com Call gallery for exhibition information LOCUST PROJECTS 3852 N Miami Ave, Miami 305-576-8570 www locustprojects org September 8 through October 17 Adam Putnam "City Limits" by John James Anderson Reception September 8, 7 to 10 p.m. MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE, CENTRE GALLERY 300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami Bldg 1, Room 1365 305-237-3696 www mdc edu Call gallery for exhibition information MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE, FREEDOM TOWER 600 Biscayne Blvd Miami 305-237-7700 www mdc edu Through October 5 "Shutter Selected Photography and Film from the CINTAS Foundation Fellows Collection" with various artists MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE, GALLERY NORTH 11380 NW 27th Ave, Miami 305-237-1532 www mdc edu Call gallery for exhibition information MICHAEL JON GALLERY 20 NE 41st St, Suite 2, Miami 305-760-9030 www michaeljongallery com Call gallery for exhibition information MYRA GALLERIES 177 NW 23rd St, Miami 631-704-3476 www myragallerles com Call gallery for exhibition information NEW WORLD GALLERY New World School of the Arts 25 NE 2nd St, Miami 305-237-3597 Call gallery for exhibition information NINA TORRES FINE ART 1800 N Bayshore Dr, Miami 305-395-3599 www ninatorresfineart com Call gallery for exhibition information O. ASCANIO GALLERY 2600 NW 2nd Ave Miami 305-571-9036 www oascanlogallery com S Call gallery for exhibition information OM GALLERY 8650 Biscayne Blvd Suite 21, Miami 305-458-5085 Through October 29 "Men" with various artists ONCE ARTS GALLERY 170-C NW 24th St, Miami 786-333-8404 www oncearts com Ongoing Pablo Gentile, Jaime Montana, Jaime Apraez, and Patricia Chaparro OXENBERG FINE ART 50 NE 29th St, Miami 305-854-7104 www oxenbergart com Call gallery for exhibition information PAN AMERICAN ART PROJECTS 2450 NW 2nd Ave, Miami 305-573-2400 www panamericanart com September 7 through November 3 "Memorabilia" by Carlos Estevez "Femina Plantarum" by Elsa Mora PAREDES FINE ARTS STUDIO . p 2311 NW 2nd Ave Mami 305-534-2184 Swww miguelparedes com Ongoing "Elements of an Artist" by Miguel Paredes PRIMARY PROJECTS 4141 NE 2nd Ave Suite 104, Miami www primaryprojectspace com info@primaryflight com September 8 through October 31 "Champion" with Andrew Nigon, Christina Pettersson, Edouard Nardon, Autumn Casey, Evan Robarts, Kenton Parker, Asif Farooq, Rebeca Raney, Magnus Sodamin, and Alex Sweet Reception September 8, 7 to 11 p.m. SUMMER GALLERY 82 NE 29th St, Miami 305-441-2005 www artnet com/sammergallery html Call gallery for exhibition information SPINELLO PROJECTS 2930 NW 7th Ave, Miami 786-271-4223 www spinelloprojects com September 8 through October 6 "Americana" by Farley Aguilar Reception September 8, 7 to 11 p.m. SWAMPSPACE GALLERY 150 NE 42nd St, Miami http //swampspace blogspot com/ swampstyle@gmall com S -- - SBusy Bee Car Wash "We Better at the Beel" Serving South Florida Since 1969 Miami Shores: 10550 Biscayne Boulevard (10 min from Aventura; 15 min from downtown) South Dade 18210 S. Dixie Highway (5 min from Pinecrest & Palmetto Bay) Bird Road: 8401 SW 40th St (2 min west of Palmetto Exp near Tropical Park) Monday-Saturday 8 am to 8 pm (full service till 6 pm) Sunday 9 am to 3 pm www.BusyBeeCarWash.net EXTRIOR EXPRESS: High-tech, safe exterior wash in 5 minutes! Stay in the comfort of your car. Ff Evacuums. FREEmat cleaners. (Starng at$5) FULL SERVICE: High-tech, safe exterior wash with interior personal care and cleaning by our professionals. Plus you get a 48-hor CeanC Car Guarantee. Ready in 15 minutes! (Stating at$16) CUSTOM DETAIURI: The ultimate in detailing: wash and wax, carpet shampoo, super interior cleaning, seat conditioning, headlights restored and more. Try our clay and liquid-glass products for "showroom" appearance. UNUMITED WASH PLANS: Drive a clean car every day of the month for as low as $19.99. Our radio-frequency tag gives you access to the car wash whenever we're open. Plus discounts on all services! SELF-s IVEB : Coin-operated facilities allow you to high-pressure wash and rinse your own vehicle. SEPTEMBER SPECIAL Like wearing clean shoes or shiny earrings, clean and shiny tires makes your car look and feel better! Our water-based (environmentally friendly) tire dressing will also protect the rubber from UV damage and help the sidewalls stay supple. CAR WASH with TIRES CLEANED & SHINED Only $9.00 $1 p/dre applied in our tunnel to our basic $5 wash Just mention this ad (also includes double soap & clear coat proectant not combinable with any other discount; 10% off regular price) September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com ~------------------~ September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com AI COPY I DESIGN I Ll Alko Print PROVIDING PRINTING SERVICES SINCE September 8 through 30 * PRINT "Spatial Recognition" by Mark Diamond Reception September 8, 6 to 11 p.m. STHE LUNCH BOX GALLERY 310 NW 24th St, Miami 305-407-8131 www thelunchboxgallery com Through October 6 1 1 "Summer Photo Show 2012 with Sarah Tortora, 8 I E John William Keedy, Noah David Bau, Amy Leilbrand, Miranda Maynard, Lissette Schaeffler, Aimee Hertog, Dafna Steinberg, Ted Oonk, Lulsa Mesa, Troy Colby, Ramesh Pithlya, Nalmar Ramirez, and Tracy Thomas Reception September 8, 7 to 10 p.m. UNDER THE BRIDGE A 12425 NE 13th Ave North Miami 305-978-4437 September 9 through November 11 amJ "~Interventions" by Karen Rifas Reception September 9, 6 to 9 p.m. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI GALLERY 2750 NW 3rd Ave, Suite 4, Miami September 7 through 28 Marlah Fox and Bryan Allen Moore Reception September 8, 2 to 9 p.m. UNIX FINE ART GALLERY 2219 NW 2nd Ave, Miami 305-496-0621 www unixfineart com Ongoing Alexis Torres WYNWOOD WALLS NW 2nd Avenue between 25th and 26th streets 305-573-0658 www thewynwoodwalls com Ongoing "Wynwood Walls" with Retna, How & Nosm, Roa, b, "' The Date Farmers, Saner, Sego, Liqen, Neuzz, Falle, Vhils, Interesni Kazkl, Kenny Scharf, Nunca, Shepard Fairey, Aiko, Ryan McGinness, Stelios Faltakis, and avaf YEELEN ART GALLERY 250 NW 23rd St, Unit 306, Miami 954-235-4758 www yeelenart com Call gallery for exhibition information T 0 MUSEUM & COLLECTION EXHIBITS ARTCENTERISOUTH FLORIDA 800 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach 305-674-8278 www artcentersf org Through September 23 "By Hand" with Jenny Brillhart, Rosemarle Chlarlone, Robin Griffiths, Hugo Moro, Lea Nickless, Evan Robarts, Victoria Skinner, and Tom Virgin I BASS MUSEUM OF ART 2100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach 305-673-7530 a www bassmuseum org d y September 5 through October 28 "Variations VII, 1966" by John Cage September 9 through November 4 "UNNATURAL" with Boaz Aharonovitch, Einat Arlf- Galantl, Azlz + Cucher, Celeste Boursler-Mougenot and S Arlane Michel, Blane De St Crolx, Rose-Lynn Fisher, Orl Gersht, Melrav Helman and Yossi Ben Shoshan, Hilja Keading, Freddy Shachar Kislev, Sigalit Landau, Dana Levy, Tobias Madison, Richard Mosse, Gilad Ratman, Samantha Salzinger, Tomer Sapir, Yehudit Sasportas, Michal Shamir, Url Shapira, Jennifer Steinkamp, Gal Welnstein, Wendy Wischer, and Guy Zagursky, curated by Taml Katz-Frelman CIFO (Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation) 1018 N Miami Ave, Miami 305-455-3380 www clfo org Call gallery for exhibition information A DDE LA CRUZ COLLECTION CONTEMPORARY ART SPACE 23 NE 41st St, Miami 305-576-6112 www delacruzcollection org Ongoing "Works from the Collection of Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz" with various artists FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FROST ART MUSEUM 10975 SW 17th St, Miami 305-348-2890 thefrost flu edu Through September 21 "Museum Studies Spring 2012 Exhibition Jamaican Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Mark Diamond, Bucky, 3D rendering of pencil on paper, 2011, at Swampspace Gallery. Art" with various artists Through September 30 "Shared Threads Maria Lino's Portrait of a Shiplbo Healer" by Maria Lino Through October 21 "This and That Unconventional Selections from the Permanent Collection" with various artists LEGAL ART 1035 N Miami Ave, Suite 200, Miami www legalartmlaml org Call gallery for exhibition information LOWE ART MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI 1301 Stanford Dr, Coral Gables 305-284-3535 www lowemuseum org Through September 23 "Saintly Blessings A Gift of Mexican Retablos from Joseph and Janet Sheln" with various artists Through October 21 "Introspection and Awakening Japanese Art of the Edo and Meiji Period, 1615-1912" with various artists MIAMI ART MUSEUM 101 W Flagler St, Miami 305-375-3000 www mlamlartmuseum org Ongoing "Between Here and There Modern and Contemporary Art from the Permanent Collection" September 7 through November 4 "Message to Our Folks" by Rashld Johnson Reception September 6, 6 to 9 p.m. MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART 770 NE 125th St, North Miami 305-893-6211 www mocanoml org September 13 through November 11 "Trading Places II" with various artists THE MARGULIES COLLECTION 591 NW 27th St, Miami 305-576-1051 www margulieswarehouse com Call gallery for exhibition information THE RUBELL FAMILY COLLECTION 95 NW 29th St, Miami 305-573-6090 http //rfc museum Call gallery for exhibition information WORLD CLASS BOXING Debra and Dennis Scholl Collection 170 NW 23rd St, Miami 305-438-9908 www worldclassboxing org Call gallery for exhibition information Compiled by Melissa Wallen Send listings, jpeg images, and events information to art@biscaynetimes com September 2012 Culture: EVENTS CALENDAR Dragons Love the Water ic inai (Inl Sonuili Florid. Dr.ion Boai Fc'li' a). ikiin pGo lic on Swww .iir(I. S i 2') lio1 iagonboat.com. a i ltioltt '''\ in t l[ at cicitt tJ ot ic io 1 on ,ini t., _i,_i - lij iakcii 10 01ii tlo.ii aid ContinticutC 10 'i-fI0' in1 ioll ,i lll ( COliC 01 OI 'l 1 l|) ad n1 IC 1 01111 0i I 'oI IloaIv duin,-' Illisw onc-da' l'c.li\ al al Haitlo\ .i BcachI PaitI Main ma S, Collns A\ c.). Rcgistiuaion fccs \ a3. Go to www.miamidragonboat.com. The Art of It All An international photography contest featuring wine in a variety of settings at Wine by the Bay (888 Biscayne Blvd.) will be just one of dozens of events marking the first DWNTWN Art Days, taking place on Friday, September 7, and Saturday, September 8. Bounded by Flagler Street to the south, NE 15th Street to the north, and N. Miami Avenue to the west, the two- day festival will include private establish- ments, numerous art institutions, events at Bayfront Park, and a Beached Miami bike ride. With trolley service making it easy to get around, this will be a great chance to see just how much artistic energy there is in our urban core. Everything is free. Go to www.dwntwnartdays.com. Food Trucks Rock the Arsht The cultural drought of summer is coming to an end, and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts (1300 Biscayne Blvd.) wants you to know what it has in store for the new season. So on Friday, September 7, starting at 11:30 a.m., the center invites the public to Food Truck Friday, where guests can sample lunch from gourmet food trucks and join together in an attempt to create the world's largest air-guitar ensemble. There will also be live rock and roll featuring real guitars. The midday party highlights the first offering in the cen- ter's "Broadway in Miami" show series, Rock ofAges. Tickets for this and all other productions will be on sale during the festivities and on Saturday (before being made available to the general public). Go to www.arshtcenter.org. An Absurd Proposition As part of the month-longAbsurd Celebra- tion: International Festival of , i, , Piiera's Theatre, taking place at the University of Miami's Jerry Herman Ring Theatre (1312 Miller Dr., Coral Gables), FUNDArte presents Carrying Water in a Sieve: An Evening of Two One-Act Plays from Friday, September 14 through Saturday, September 22. The Cuban- born Pifiera is considered the father of Latin American modernism in theater, and has remained a revered figure long after his death. These are two prime examples of his contributions. (This production is in English with Spanish subtitles.) Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for the general public. Call 305-284-3355. Optic Nerve Returns to MOCA While we laud new launches in Miami's cultural world, we also appreciate the staying power of events like the annual Optic Nerve alternative film and video festival, now in its 14th year. On Friday, September 14, the Museum of Contemporary Art (770 NE 125th St., North Miami) will present another strong grouping of intriguing short films submitted from around the country. Screenings, scheduled for 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. this year, are always packed, so reserve early. Go to mocanomi.org. Good, Clean Fun on the Coast Our South Florida coastline is fragile, so every year, on the third Saturday in Sep- tember, volunteers come out to clean the beachfront. But that's not all. Debris bust- ers also collect information on what they are finding in order for scientists to better understand marine pollution and conserva- tion. On Saturday, September 15, starting at 9:00 a.m. (and going till noon), residents are encouraged to join the Miami-Dade Coastal Cleanup to rid our ocean of filth. Volunteers, who should arrive at 8:30 a.m., will be at 36 sites covering the waterfront, then convene for an after party. For details, visit www.miamidadecoastalcleanup.org/ volunteer. Cuban Shirt Tales What shouts Cuban culture more clearly - or elegantly than a guayabera? We've always known the famous four- pocket shirt makes for great tropical wear. Now it makes for a great exhibit and tour, too. To complement HistoryMi- ami's (101 W. Flagler St.) "The Guaya- bera: A Shirt's Story," the museum is offering Downtown Adventure: Guayaberas and More! on Saturday, September 22. From 10:00 a.m. to noon, Among the Big Trees A.llioi''h lie (1k nipicts aic octi %%c ic siIll looking oti foi \\ IInIK'i Did \Ol kiio thllit IiccS can 'aiti n'\itmjds' TIhe National RCiliC.i of Bit_ TicCi. pIitis IO(CIll Ci aI liN of IllI l -'CNsi I c 's tlic UiniiCd Siaic. anid \ i/ca M I.iLint ill nd Gjidciliii 1251 S NIuntII .A\ c I lijs a millnib of Ill'in Find otil 11101o l boltl IcKsC tiiniqLiC Itcc. and tlli liisttoiN d(tlin , Il( Cl.hapllionl o1' Vi/c.li.l IOI iltlin_ 11al I iII onl Saturda.l.. September 22 Led b% il nllC u.CLil nm elCief IollicLlllm iIltl ill Siilllpkin OlK tom cosis $211' TickCt aiC ;I\; il;iblc onl\ 1l llK 11i(c G o 0 \\ \\ \\ i/cl\ jIlSiiImn oIt, A Message from Rashid Johnson Rashid Johnson became a star almost the minute he arrived on the scene at the age of 24 back in 2001. But the Chicago-bred, New York-based artist first known for his photography he also works with wood, soap, and shea butter, among other materials has never had a solo museum show. Until now. "Message To Our Folks" opens at the Miami Art Museum (101 W. Flagler St.) on Friday, September 7 and promises to be one of the more exciting exhibitions of the year. (It is also one of the last at MAM before the museum moves to its new digs on Biscayne Bay next year.) Admission is $8. Go to www.miamiartmuseum.org. guide Pepe Menendez will lead partici- pants through such Cuban-American landmarks as the Ramon Puig Guaya- beras store, La Epoca department store, and the Freedom Tower. Cost is $20 for members; $30 for nonmembers. More information at www.historymiami.org. The International Language of Opera Culturally speaking, Miami doesn't want to keep quiet and sit still; new events pop up every month. Take, for instance, the Five Cultures in Opera from the Onyx Opera on Saturday, September 29, at 7:30 p.m. at North Miami Beach's Julius Littman Theater (17011 NE 19th Ave.). This eclectic performance will feature tenor Samuel Eudovique, who sings in nine languages, including Kreyol; Cuban mezzo-soprano Mabel Lado; and the New York Grand Opera's Liora Michelle. Tickets range from $30 to $40. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Ameri- can Diabetes Foundation and the Stop Hunger food program. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 800-754-3000. For more information, call 305-835-7366. Compiled by BT arts editor Anne Tschida. Please send information and images to calendar(abiscaynetimes. com. Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com 77 September 2012 Columnists: POLICE REPORTS Biscayne Crime Beat Compiled by Derek McCann Clue: You Gave Him Your Keys 100 Block ofNE 40th Street You know you've arrived when you no longer deign to park your car yourself. This person valeted his car and had it returned to him later in the evening. However, when he checked the glove compartment, he found his GPS device missing. Victim called police and officers interviewed the valet, who denied any wrongdoing. The crime remains unsolved at press time. Miami bourgeoisie: If you want to keep valet- ing your cars to distinguish yourselves from the proletariat, keep your valu- ables at home. Otherwise, it's appar- ently free pickings. Most Creative Use of a Manhole Cover 4600 Block ofNE 2ndAvenue A business owner witnessed a dynamic but demented duo lift a manhole cover (weight is about 100 pounds) and heave it through the locked front door of his business. What a nightmare, he thought. This must be a big-time, Dillinger-type robbery. Did the thieves go for the safe or the jewelry? No, just a large amount of women's clothing. Guess whatever quarrels they had with their significant others will be squashed when they pres- ent them with their newfound sartorial loot. They left the scene by car, sans manhole cover. No Clues? No Witness? No Problem! 1700 Block ofN. Bayshore Drive A man's apartment had several items missing from it, including his wallet. All police generally need is information to solve a crime. This man, with a virulent hangover, had none. All he knew is that he had plans to attend three clubs the night before, but didn't remember how he got home or even who he came home with. But that's not important, Miami Police Department -just solve the damn crime! We doubt he'll be getting his wallet back, but at least he made Crime Beat. We're Not Quite There Yet NE 29th Street and Biscayne Boulevard Yes, gentrification has changed the Bou- levard Corridor dramatically. But not as much as some people think. This yuppie left his laptop on one of the counters in Starbucks while he stepped outside to smoke a cigarette and, in a matter of a few, desperate puffs we hope he enjoyed them the laptop was gone. Please note: This happens everywhere in Miami, but we highlight this incident to let our valued readers know that even Elite Concierge facilitates your days Elite Concierge facility tus dias Personal/Professional Errands Referrals to Vendors Party Coordination/Event Planning Personal Shopper Personal Assistant or Small Business services Travel Coordination House Sitting Pet Care Waiting Service Post Medical Procedures Real Estate and Home Moving Coordination Elder Care Notary Services Corporate Concierge Services and more. 305.57.501 1infoplantligtingnet 33 N 73r Stret MamiFIL 313 Phn:7661.931Fx 357 100 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 criminals occasionally enjoy a cafe latte. So beware at all times, in all places. It's Medicinal, Man! NE 12th Street and 1st Avenue Just like last month, we have another honest admission from one of our citizens. Man was pulled over by police in a routine traffic stop. When police arrived at the driver-side door, they detected a strong smell of mari- juana emanating from the car. The man was still smoking a joint in front of the police officers. When asked why he was doing so, the man replied, "I smoke weed everyday. It helps me with my headaches." Sadly, the cops gave him a headache of a different kind. He was arrested. Burglar Redefines Porta-Potty 700 Block NE 146th Street At this North Miami home, an unknown suspect forced his way in through the back door. The house was vacant at the time, much to the burglar's disappoint- ment. This did not deter him, however. He promptly stole three toilets. So now our criminal element is resorting to this? Keep those spare buckets handy, just in case your house is next. Fifty Shades of Gross 1500 Block ofNE 132nd Road Owner was home alone when the neigh- borhood pervert entered the rear of her residence for the third time in a week. He sat in her enclosed porch which is attached to the main residence pulled his pants down, and proceeded to plea- sure himself to the disgust, we're sure, of everyone who witnessed it. The owner was safe inside the home, but she made sure to videotape the man's antics with her cell phone. The man was apprehend- ed on the scene and arrested. Daddy Dearest 1100 Block ofN. Bayshore Drive It's always admirable when two people who have a child together, but couldn't make their relationship work, nevertheless maintain contact with each other for the sake of their child. Then there's this story. The father of this woman's child called her on her cell phone while she was in Orlando, and screamed the following at her: "You at that n*** house? I kicked in your door and broke all the windows, whore!" When she returned home from Orlando, she found her residence ransacked. This is the second time this has happened to this poor woman. Maybe it's time to move on. Your child will thank you. You Get What You Pay For NE 29th Street and Biscayne Boulevard Officer watched as a known prostitute got into a waiting vehicle. A few minutes later, he approached the car. The driver already had his pants down around his knees. "I gave him h***," the prostitute admitted. With his pants still down, co-defendant acknowledged this and told the officer that he opted for the $35 special instead of the full-service $75 treatment. Had he taken the full treatment, the twosome would have gone to a Boulevard motel and you wouldn't be reading this report right now. Lesson: Don't pick up prostitutes, but if you do, always go for full service. The Case of the Battling Burglars 8400 Block of NE Miami Court A group of female and male "friends" decided to have a street fight. One of the participants threw a milk crate at a man's living room window; another took a metal chair and broke the windows of an adjacent apartment. But it turns out this was no mere display by a bunch of WWE fans. The fight had actually begun in one of the apartments. The "friends" had broken into it, overturning furniture. For some reason, they began arguing and took their disagreement outside. The burglars eventually fled in cars. No ar- rests have been made at press time. Loyal Customer Registers Complaint 7200 Block of N Miami Avenue A regular customer (according to the store clerk) attempted to use the ATM machine at this establishment but could not retrieve money. He asked the clerk for $10 to hold him over. The clerk refused. He then asked to borrow the clerk's cell phone. The clerk told him it was broken. He proceeded to ask the clerk for other "favors," but the clerk told him he could not help him. The man then left the store. He came back 30 seconds later and threw a rock at the glass door, shattering it. Suspect then left on foot. We ask ourselves: Is it the heat, or are we all just really losing it? Feedback: letters(@biscaynetimes.com Fami owed and operaed sinc 97 b r *._ 30-7337 [HIM S. 300 NE 2n -v.C September 2012 CareeTie w.Bsan~ie~ SPA PACKAGE ALL for $99 DAY Receive...30 Minute Massage 30 Minute Facial Maninicure and Pedicure Complimentary Valet Complimentary Champagne Access to Tiki Hut on the beach $50 MASSAGE Mon-Thurs CALL NOW TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT 305-749-2100 NI:'PR1gIT HF.Aq.HII)F MiriL & U'L4lR f I ( S A New Aveda Concept Salon www.SevenSeasSpaSalon.com 16701 Collins Avenue Located at the Sunny Isles Beach inside the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort I I September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Columnists: PARK PATROL Diamond in the Rough With brand-new baseball and football fields and more, eodore Gibson Park in Overtown is a gem By Jim W. Harper BT Contributor Check your rearview mirror for a glimpse of the newest park in town. Tens of thousands of commuters drive past the $10.9 million beauty every day on their way to down- town or Miami Beach and, although the park was there before, now they actu- ally see it. The rubbernecking started with the installation of giant orange umbrel- las, says Donald Lutton, City of Miami superintendent of the Department of Parks and Recreation. On a recent Saturday morning, he was standing near those umbrellas as a few kids frolicked in a new aquatic playground. While the new pool was not being used, these children romped around the seemingly Dr. Seuss-inspired fountains of pink pipes and yellow mushrooms. Outside the aquatic facility, hundreds of children either played football, ate barbecue, or collected free back-to-school materials at a special event. The completely remodeled Gibson Park opened on August 7, and by mid- month it was already hopping. Inside the sky blue community center, adjacent to NW 14th St 1-95 the aquatic facility, one of Overtown's guardian angels beamed with pride as children swirled around him. He is Em- manuel "Pops" Washington, the execu- tive director of the Overtown Commu- nity Optimist Club, which runs a popular youth football program. Washington has something else to smile about: One of his former pupils, NFL player Ben Hanks, is returning to his childhood turf as a coach and park manager. But today's turf is very differ- ent from that of his childhood days. The park's centerpiece is a combina- tion of Friday -.brit Lights and Field of Dreams. On this football/baseball field, the white yard-lines gleam against the green artificial turf, while the baseball diamond sports bright, orange dirt. The football stadium is named after an NFL player from Miami, Duane Starks, who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony along with Miami Com- missioner Michelle Spence-Jones and Thelma Gibson, wife of the late Rever- end Theodore Gibson, the Miami civil rights pioneer for whom the park is named. Yellow letters spell out his name on the second-story windows of the energy-efficient community center. 8 I6 NW 12th St NW 11th Tenl An exceptional view of downtown from the bleachers behind the goalposts. The football field's stadium seating for 1000 is covered and has an elevator and a press box. At the field's far end, behind the goalposts, small bleachers provide one of the best views anywhere of downtown Miami, period. Because the field sits at an angle to the street grid, it appears as if you could punt a football all the way to Brickell. Almost overnight, Gibson Park has become a star attrac- tion in Overtown. Already home The br to a county library, the park but it i added the glistening community center as its other indoor attrac- tion, and a $2.7 million gymnasium has been planned. Even with this addition, the park will cost much less than the 2008 es- timate of $17.8 million. Partial funding for the initial $10.9 million renovation came from the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency. This park is designed as the ul- timate place for neighborhood kids to play. With so many shiny new objects in Gibson Park, one could easily be distracted from what is missing. The park never had many trees, and it still lacks shade. On the positive side, the noise level is very low, considering that half the park's borders are the raised highways of 1-95 and 1-395. The park did not construct an Olympic-size pool, despite repeated erroneous reports in the Miami Herald. Did we learn nothing from Michael Phelps? The Olympics are held in meters, and a 50-meter pool is more than twice the length of a standard American 25-yard pool, and-new pool is definitely an asset, is not Olympic size. like the one in Gibson Park. Don't get me wrong: The pool appears excellent for its purposes, but it could never host an Olympic event. For the dry, loner athlete, a walkway behind the main stadium offers shiny yellow exercise stations that use gravity and balance to develop muscles. They look nice, but it remains to be seen if people will really use them. Serious jog- gers won't find much space to roam in this park, but they could run the stadium steps. In another section of the park, near the main entrance, kids have plenty of options. An enclosed tot lot with arti- ficial turf gives parents some peace of mind and offers little ones the opportu- nity to wander around and discover new shapes that demand new movements. Those red steps may look like scattered giant Legos, but they are solid metal and firmly rooted in the ground. Beyond this area is more challenging playground equipment, such as a twisted climbing wall and a zip-line-type over- head bar. Grab onto the handle and slide to the other side! Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 =, E *^ M IHODO' RE 'OA' Park Rating 401 NW 12th St., Miami 305-570-6843 Hours: Variable Picnic tables: Yes Barbecues: No Picnic pavilions: Yes Tennis courts: No Athletic fields: Yes Night lighting: Yes Swimming pool: Yes Playground: Yes Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 i, From home plate to the football bleachers, complete with elevator and press box. Park fixtures sport tropical shades of orange The Overtown Community Optimist Club runs juice, sky blue, and sassy fuchsia, a popular youth football program. My favorite toys to test drive, how- ever, were the multicolored bongos and the double xylophone. Kids, let's get loud while the adults rest nearby in the shade of the giant Royal Poinciana. The center of this multipurpose play- ground arena beckons real musicians. A grassy field extends in front of a covered gazebo, and this open-air stage conjures up fantasies of jazz bands by day and classical theater by night. Those giant orange umbrellas by the pool? They have some competition in the color department from the permanent tables, benches, and bike racks in the park, which come in tropical shades of orange juice, sky blue, and sassy fuchsia, and punctuate the walkways like heavy metal flowers. Gibson Park has few parking spaces, but I count this limitation as a positive sign. Not only does it encourage walking and alternative transportation to this central location, it also demonstrates the park's priority being people instead of vehicles. If you visit soon, you may witness an artist in action. The muralist Addo- nis Parker is painting one of the library walls. Nearby, his completed mural, And a Child Shall Lead Them, features African-American leaders. Overtown itself was once a leading black community in Florida, but it was shattered into pieces in the 1960s, when highways were constructed through it. Now the people in Gibson Park can laugh at the commuters above them, stuck in traffic, looking down and wish- ing they were at the park instead. Feedback: letters@tbiscaynetimes.com * 0 t e 0 0 0 1J;,817] 4 P.' 1:( 0; Z 0 i .j1 "i v j - email: ftl@poop911 .com 0. .Residential, Commercial HOA and Highrise Pooper Scooper Service I Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com I am September 2012 AskforBTspeciallnitial clean up +1 clean$ 19.99 (up to $99 value) Columnists: PICTURE STORY Real Estate Boom, Congested Streets, and Electric Traffic Lights A view of our past from the archives of HistoryMiami By Paul S. George Special to the BT Miami was roaring toward the climax of the great real estate boom when this mid-1920s photograph was taken at the county's busiest intersection: Miami Avenue and Flagler Street. The police to\ i" on the left side of the photograph was a recent addition to traffic control, as electronic lights, manually operated by a policeman seated in the com- partment at the top of the pole, regulated the flow of traffic coming from the south along Miami Avenue as well as automobiles proceeding east on Flagler Street. The signature red-brick building on the right side of the picture housed Budge's Hardware store, one of the city's oldest businesses. Partially visible on the left side of the photograph is the ornate Bank of Bay Biscayne building, which housed the city's first bank. One street behind, or north, of Budge's Hardware is the Cromer-Cassell department store still undergoing its finishing touches. While the buildings holding Budge's Hardware and the Bay Biscayne Bank are long gone, the old Cromer-Cassel building later became Richard's De- partment store. Today it hosts jewelry businesses in a bustling jewelry area anchored by the Seybold Building. The men in suits, knickers, or slacks, with or without hats or golf caps, could have been part of a large cadre of real estate speculators known as the Binder Boys. The boom was overby 1926, leaving Miami and its residents to cope with a lingering economic downturn To order a copy of this photo, please contact HistoryMiami archives manager Dawn Hugh at 305-375-1623, dhugh@historymiami.org. Feedback: letters@biscaynetimes.com .iF'Is,,F'f UsAut" AIIom & Marine Servti, he. .Clion~It Forqon. Domwstc. Efotc, ---- Treuck, SUV a RV rviO -nd petr 10 .Bort r &, shlg dockhald.W setvico VEl l Gen'tar aun amnel nvl"n epebi . MoM eiledded watInUa Ihmmetd ----- EI.in I wh udr hou by al I MT .P*itio L aaop off S rA Owned and mamagsd y Evyn S a per wt hot dn ASE MUer T aliwn CmUrtik m aeii 30 yurl mcerw Unng a mutNLa Cd alfltJ wft* n tha wo '.rt- I li % OFFM IY LE REPAIR run 11ZI 1 1 :I r f .. 1 .. L rrM3.11(1,E ^'C 1L 1 rmm 4 qh 1. UN 5 L ~ u m .i 4!emlp (Ohm W4-317r7 PhWmr (W 94} 0-1-1111 Yi 1ftfa pi p2ramiemrinie'____ M err.pierwanmrimFLrlE Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com _ _~_ h September 2012 I~d-l Columnists: YOUR GARDEN Growing on Trees Certain plants can thrive in trunks and branches By Jeff Shimonski BT Contributor As a horticulturist in the tropics, I am fascinated by all the plants that can be found growing on the branches and trunks of trees. These are called epi- phytes, and the ones I am writing about here are not parasites, unlike, say, the mistletoe so common in northern climes. These just hold on to the branches for support. They get their nutrients from rain and the atmosphere. There are many species of orchids, bromeliads, aroids, cacti, and ferns that are found naturally growing on our trees and palms. I have collected and grown many species of ferns over the years, but my favorites are those that grow on trees. Bird's-nest fern, Asplenium nidus, is shaped like a round nest (hence the name), with foliage that can reach six feet in length or more. It is commonly grown in containers, but also grows very well as an epiphyte. When I do grow them on the ground, I take the plant out of its contain- er, place the root ball on top of the ground, and build a rock cairn around it. I've also had success using thick, short pieces of trunks and branches. This helps hold up the plant, but also keeps it from getting too wet and rotting if there is too much rain. The roots of the fern will eventually envelop the cairn. An important fact to remember is ferns like high humidity, but need excellent drain- age. I've grown some huge bird's-nest ferns on the ground this way. This rainy season has given us a good look at one fern that is often found grow- ing on mature live oaks: our native resur- rection fern, Pleopeltis polypodioides. When there is lots of rain, or irrigation, this fern suddenly pops out and looks like a lush, dark-green carpet covering the branches or trunk of a tree. When the rain stops for a few days, it suddenly seems to turn brown and dry up. Many species of orchids grow well when attached to trees. One species in particular is the moth orchid, or Phalae- nopsis, which is so common now at florists and garden centers. It needs lots of water and good aeration, just like the ferns. I've planted many moth orchids on mature live oak trees that just happened to have resur- rection fern growing on them. In fact, I learned to use the resur- rection fern as an indicator of when the Resurrection fern is so name because it can tolerate long peri of drought by curling up its five-i fronds and turning brown. moth orchids needed more water. When the fern started going brown from lack of water, I would irrigate the orchids for a couple of hours with a tall sprin- kler. By using this irrigation procedure for this particular type of orchid, I had beautiful and lush flowering plants for months out of the year. Resurrection fern growing on the trunk of a live oaks. The fern was a great indicator for moth orchids, but I also had many species of Cattleya orchids growing on other trees that simply would not tolerate that amount of water. Consequently, those trees had much less resurrection fern growing on them. When learning to grow orchids, an important difference between the various species is how they store water. If they have pseudobulbs, the water storage organ found beneath the leaf fat and round if full of d moisture or skinny and wrinkly iods if dry they will not want to nch be watered more than a couple of days a week. The orchids might otherwise succumb to fungal infection, which can completely turn an orchid into a black glob of mush in a few days. Many if not most of the epiphytic species of bromeliads that I've grown on trees would not tolerate the conditions that kept the resurrection fern green healthy. The bromeliads grew best under the same irrigation schedule as the Cat- tleya orchids. I also grew epiphytic cactus under this regimen with great success. The resurrection fern is so named because it can tolerate long periods of drought by curling up its five-inch fronds and turning brown. To me, it simply looks dead, but a little bit of rain or ir- rigation will turn the fronds a light green. One of our torrential downpours will bring out that lush, dark-green color. Like all species of ferns, the resur- rection fern reproduces naturally by spores that can be found on the under- sides of its leaves, like brown dust. I've propagated them by cutting off the bark of felled live oak trees that had resur- rection fern attached. I then affixed the fern onto another tree and kept the bark section well irrigated. The fern eventu- ally grew onto the new tree. .i. \hi,,,. ,,I,-, is an ISA-certified munic- ipal arborist, director of horticulture at Jungle Island, and principal of Tropical Designs of Florida. Contact him atjeff@ tropicaldesigns. com. Feedback: letters@ibbiscaynetimes.com PRISTINE' I. '1 l I: -- MAN A IF MN -- "'-Ell!/6 You Your P " Enle v MiicrTl. Prie *;iO*rr Sibnto. PArtW a BOB'S STIHL LAWNMOWER SALS & SERVI. IC. $50FF ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE MINIMUM $20 PURCHASE. WITH THIS AD. ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER. Your "One Stop" repair shop for all your lawncare products, gas generators, pressure washers, 2-cycle equipment, and go-karts. 305-947-3578 Monday Saturday NEW EQUIPTMENT DEALERS FOR... Family Owned and operated since 1978 g .ma ,M I a,. dl 15270 W. Dixie Hwy. SN. Miami Beach, FL 33162 SI Me I V& I IW www.bobslawnmower.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com 305 807 3321 PristlnePM.com L -- --- I I September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Columnists: GOING GREEN Changing Course Going back to school to help save the planet By Jim W. Harper BT Contributor When I was a college student, my attempts to seek a career path morphed into a one-man show of angst. This drama was to be ex- pected, as I was an English major. That's what English majors do: We think, we write, and we fret. But seriously, I thought, what am I going to do with my life? That is the question that haunts all of us. One professor gave me the straightforward advice I needed: Just do i...,,. ri,,i He was trying to tell me that actions speak louder than daydreams. Instead of trying to figure out the future in my head, I should try practicing in the present what I wished to continue doing for life. You can apply this advice to the environment. Don't just talk about it do something. Try planting a tree or picking up litter. You will learn as much from your mistakes as from your successes. We all learn by doing and by acting locally. Unfortunately, some of us are slow learners and, even worse, some of us are English majors. The curse of the English major involves being an "ideas person," instead of someone who takes action. I was not brave enough to become an artist or astute enough to bet my future on the Internet, so I resorted to the default profession for English majors: I became a teacher. Although it seemed like the easy way out of my conundrum, choosing that profession taught me that teaching is much, much harder than it looks. Now I am choosing a new path that involves becoming a student again, and this time I will be studying the environment. So how did a middle-school English teacher find the inspiration to go back to school? Easy. Teaching is too dif- ficult and reality is too ugly, so for the next year or so I will be hiding from both in the library at Florida Interna- tional University. It's only funny because it's true. Be- cause I have been writing and think- Not everyone c ing about the career or go bac environment some degree of for many years required o now, I feel overwhelmed by both the things that I do know and by the realiza- tion that there's a world of things I don't know. I know enough to know that I know too little, got it? When I was a child, I wanted to be Jacques Cousteau. Somewhere along the way, Cousteau turned into Thoreau, and I accepted the fate of the English major - to wallow in the enigmatic woods of words. But I never loved words the way I love fish. And turtles. And my many pets of many colors. They have kept me sane ai ck ad f when people have driven me crazy. In time I learned to love people, too, and I want to save this planet for the people of the future. They deserve a chance to discover a beautiful world. So I'm going back to school. Another option for me would be to burn rubber in the fast lane, make mad money, party like a rock star, and give the earth the middle finger. n change their Believe to school, but me, when Japtation will be the odds everyone. are stacked against you, like David versus Goli- ath, you could just lay down and die. But oh, no, not I. Now is my chance to make good on that childhood dream to become an ex- plorer. Like the great Cousteau, I could reveal the riches of nature and inspire humanity. I could find a way to save our oceans, by linking you out there - and you and you in a mighty chain of justice. Now is our time to get serious about the new war: a war on behalf of the environment and against this chaos that we have brought upon ourselves. We need an effort that matches the original meaning of "epic." In this changing world, will you do something? In this battle, will you enlist? Not everyone can change their career or go back to school, but some degree of adaptation will be required of everyone. Our climate is changing and our world is changing, whether we like it or not, and we have the choice to do something or to do nothing. And make no mistake about it: Doing nothing is a choice. Now that we know how much the planet is hurting, denial is deliberate. No one knows the future, of course, but based on recent history, it doesn't look good for Mother Nature. Time to ruminate about the future is running out. Are we just going to sit here and die along with her? No, we're going to do something. Now. Just do it. Send your tips and clever ideas to: SFeedbk: ..letters ,. i ,. i, scaynem s. Feedback: letters@ibiscaynetimes.com Come for the fun Stay for the Education 305-757-6500 early childhood music classes group keyboard and guitar music and accessories w -7. Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com c'S toao September 2012 Columnists: KIDS AND THE CITY Too Wild a Time A family camping trip to the Everglades in the middle of summer? What could go wrong? By Crystal Brewe BT Contributor -r don't say I didn't warn you." Those words became a chal- 6 L6 lenge to me as I convinced my family to embark upon an end-of- summer adventure to the 10,000 Islands, along Florida's Gulf Coast. The unsolic- ited warnings and advice against camp- ing in the Everglades in the summer were enough to make me absolutely determined to experience it for myself. Sure, we could camp at Bahia Honda or even drive 20 minutes for some urban camping at Oleta River, but what's the point if you can jump back in your car and drive home when the going gets tough or hot, or itchy? No sir, the Brewes were out to make some serious memories. We spent weeks doing research, gath- ering supplies, and preparing for the trip. State-of-the-art tent? Check! First-aid kit? Check! An artillery of sprays, bracelets, and Skin So Soft to fend off the infamous mosquitoes and no-see-ums? Check! A guy with a boat to ferry us to our deserted island on the edge of the Ever- glades? Check! 2:00 p.m.: Mark, the helpful boat captain, assisted us in unloading ev- erything onto the beautiful, white-sand island where the Everglades meets the Gulf. Mark took our countless calls in the weeks leading up to our odyssey; he gave us good advice and didn't try to deter us. He did, however, guarantee that we would be the only ones on the very popular Camp Lulu Key this time of year. (Insert foreshadowing here.) He showed us the best place to set up the tent and where to hide in the event of an extreme electrical storm. I should have been suspicious when he asked me to text him later that night, just so he "would sleep better." 4:00 p.m.: The sun was honey golden in the sky as we rode a little wave back to shore in our canoe after some fishing. Our camp was set up with two tents, a screened patio, a fire pit, and some fresh firewood. As the kids splashed their feet in the water and collected seashells, we sat and enjoyed the nice breeze coming off the Gulf and discussed what kinds of adventures we would have the next day. It was everything we had dreamed. We laughed in the face of the naysayers. 6:00 p.m.: Our initial attempts to start a fire were unsuccessful, so we started up the fancy butane burner we had brought for just such an event. The burner barely managed to warm our dinner in the face of the now stronger wind blowing off the Gulf. 7:00 p.m.: We watched a breathtak- ing sunset as we ate our dinner, and made another attempt at fire-building so we could enjoy S'mores. 8:00 p.m.: Wet wood left our fire- starting attempts unsuccessful, so we ate our S'mores unmelted. 9:00 p.m.: The kids were tucked in the tent with books and flashlights. - *6- .. -4 .; - The adults sat around the nonburn- ing campfire wearing headlamps and discussed the nice breeze we were so lucky to have. 10:00 p.m.: The breeze subsided at the exact moment that my brother commented on the surprising lack of mosquitoes. Within seconds, an apoca- lyptic swarm seized the irony. We sought shelter in the tent, but the mere act of entering provided an opportunity for the blood-thirsty mosquitoes to follow us in. We put on our emergency socks and covered the kids. There was nothing left to do but try to sleep through the horror. At some point, I switched my socks from my feet to my hands. It seemed like a good idea at the time. 12:00 a.m., 2:00 a.m., 4:00 a.m., 5:33 a.m.: I woke up thinking, "I had no idea that it would be this hot, this itchy." 6:00 a.m.: We awoke to a stun- ning purple-orange sunrise and a camp strewn with garbage. Some mischievous raccoons, impervious to the vampire mosquitoes, had enjoyed a field day with our cornhusks and tin foil. For about 20 minutes we thought we were going to be okay. Then came the no- see-ums. Did you know that no-see-ums don't actually bite? They vomit stomach acid that burns like the devil. They work in battalions and prefer your eyelids and armpits shiver places you don't think to put repellant. Everly, my three-year-old, was covered in them and screaming. It was something out of a sci-fi movie. 6:21 a.m.: Eric, my husband, called an adult camper meeting. "Can we handle another night of this?" All three adults acknowledged that no, nature had won, and we needed a boat ride home, pronto. Mark, our steady captain, was unfazed by our early-morning phone call and picked us up within the hour. The squall that hit our boat as we rode back through the Everglades to our car was the jewel in our crown of memory-making. It was the Everglades reminding us: "If you ever decide to come back, we've got more where that came from, suckers!" Nature 1, Brewes 0. Feedback: letters(@biscaynetimes.com kidst wn -Pediatrics Boutique practice in a cozy & warm atmosphere i LOCATED IN THE S ~i MIAMI DESIGN DISTRICT NEAR MIDTOWN ) Margaret Okonkwo, MD, FAAP S4112 Northeast 1st Ave, Miami FL 33137 Phone: 305-576-KIDS (5437) Fax: 305-576-5120 www.KidstownPediatrics.com preo ved / detihm iMon- o It-4F Ila S ... 3 flUh Sd~l~ Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Columnists: PAWSITIVELY PETS Lifestyles of the Rich and Furry An animal-themed TV show descends on the Hamptons By Lisa Hartman BT Contributor Last year I had the odd experience of leaving Florida in summer to escape hurricane season, only to be hit head-on by Hurricane Irene in New York. Come on! So this year about the same time as Irene hit last year, leaving me to evacuate with two dogs and without power at home for ten days I find myself shooting a show for a kind of EuropeanAccess Hollywood. The last few summers I've headed back to my roots, the East End of Long Island, and set up shop in the Hamptons. The Hamptons and Montauk have always felt like home to me. And while I live a rela- tively normal existence when I'm here, the camera crews quite naturally came to film the opulence and extravagance that is syn- onymous worldwide with Hamptons' life. This time they wanted to know how the pet-owning elite in these parts live, and so decided to follow vet Dr. Cindy Bressler, groomer and luxury dog store owner Edward Alava, and me, as we pampered and catered to our rich and famous clientele. They filmed us "on call" everywhere from helicopters and private planes to yachts in the harbor, catering to the whims of our clients and their dogs. You want an antioxidant blueberry facial for Fido? No problem. Dogs need to get off a yacht in single file? I'll teach them. From Dr. Cindy making an emergency house call at 3:00 a.m. to Edward giving a dog massage or me leading dog training or "Doga" classes at mega mansions, we did it. But working in the East End is hardly without its drawbacks. Like South Florida in season, we fight brutal traffic in the summer; you either know how to navigate the back roads or you'll find yourself stuck on Montauk Highway in gridlock. Just purchasing a bagel for lL:L :L S!LL:- _~L 7 2LLI VL Please call 305-374-2210 Midtown SDowntown S: Brickell -J Mi, & LI %SLL; Morningside L: L-L L' `2L Key Biscayne DOG & CAT FOOD -TREATS PET SUPPLEMENTS ACCESSORIES q.. ojs OWICN L.... 111lcna ,,, _. l "' mW Brickell Store 55 SW 11St. PH: 305-374-2210 Midtown Store 2214 N. Miami Ave (Located inside D.O.G.) PH:305-571-8187 86 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Smiling Pets Veterinary Clinic You come to us A A 7310 Biscayne Blvd We come to you r., .l ', . 0 0 305-754-0844 .smilirgpets.net September 2012 breakfast becomes a major ordeal, as you can't find a parking space anywhere. Working with dogs can be equally challenging. Filming a scene is never as easy as it looks on television; you might have to get in and out of a car (or helicopter) ten times so the film crew can get all the angles needed to edit the scene together. For that matter, every word or sentence you utter may have to be repeated multiple times. It's hard repeating the same uneventful sentence or action over and over. The dogs have it worse they have no idea why they are walking the same plank again and again or why they are repeating behaviors with cameramen circling all around them. For this show, my segment involved teaching a New York society woman relaxation and yoga poses she can do with her dogs. "Doga," or dog yoga, hap- pens to be a great way to bond with your dog and spend some good quality time together. There is good stretching and massage in it, too. My Chinese crested, Saffy, loves it. She will hold some of the poses forever. She especially loves the "Floating Saffy" poses where I balance her on my hands and legs. Jay-J loves his do% i\ mid dog" pose and, although he enjoys Doga, his size makes him a bit harder to physically manipulate than Saffy. So while the production com- pany loved Jay-J's look, Saffy ended up having a longer segment, owing to her size and eagerness to perform. (Jay-J was fantastic, but battled a bit of perfor- mance anxiety.) Edward came to the same client's home to give her 16-year-old Yorkshire ter- rier a massage, and Dr. Cindy Not rushed to her yacht to help a and 1 scared dog that needed medical dog care. The shoot culminated in a luxury party at sunset on a very posh beach in East Hamp- ton. Notables in the fashion, magazine, and TV world were on hand with their dogs to toast a fabulous summer and the people who tend to their dogs. Our own Hampton Pet Chef ("Pri- vate chef services for your special pet") put out an incredible gourmet spread for the canines, and Spoil Me Rotten dog treats had an ice cream truck full of treats for the dogs. My dogs, mind you, had to enter and re-enter the beach party with me about a dozen times for the different camera angles. Not having had a break all day, they were starting to get a bit cranky, and exhausted. Saffy decided she should be carried from here on out, lest she claw at my dress and shred it into a million pieces, while Jay-J's legs decided to give out and turn to stone. ables in the fashion, magazine, V world were on hand with their gs to toast a fabulous summer. I came up with alternative scenes to shoot that would give my dogs a break from the humdrum. One of the most difficult parts of my job is not getting the dogs to perform on cue, but making the production team understand what is pos- sible, safe, and fair to the animals. I must be able to tell the crew that the dogs have had enough and we are done for now. I have to make people who have never owned even one dog see that the dogs are not robots and cannot be programmed to do what you want over and over again on camera, in the heat - without a break. Maybe they can, maybe they can't. But as my dogs and the others on set start to show signs of stress, my job as the "dog mother" kicks in and I tell ev- eryone the dogs are going to have dinner now and retire to their beds. Just as with human performers, the animal cast mem- bers need to be handled with care and to have adequate rest and fun so they can perform when it's time for them. As fun as film production can be, a lot of work is involved. Multiple takes with pets (and people) in new situations, weather, monotony, and lots of down time are all part of the job. It's not called a "business" for nothing. Lisa Hartman is a dog-friendly trainer, behavior specialist, and author of Dial a Dynamite Dog. You can reach her at '!, li .I l,../, 1 1,.-i ,. '.com or visit www.pawsitivelypetsonline.com. Feedback: letters@tbiscaynetimes.com Oe smn al Legitimutt Carries The Finest Quality Products Monday' (for all sizes and breeds) Including: a anaim a n Leather Collars, M u and ex Leashes, Satura Designer Coats, Bowls, Organic Foods, Treats And more... Shops At Wynwood 192 NW 36th St. Miami, FL 33127 (Corner of NW 2nd Ave.) (305) 438-4385 store@legitimutt.com All made in America by and for Legitmutt. 0 r A line by Kristy Hinze Clark www.legitimutt.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com Columnists: VINO Aussie Wines that Hit the Mark - and Miss, Too Red, white, and you: Agreeable wine for $12 or less By Bill Citara BT Contributor here are some things even those of us whose knowledge of The Land Down Under comes mostly from Crocodile Dundee recognize as quintes- sentially Australian. Crocodile Dundee, for example. ("That's a knife!") Shrimps and barbies (the grill, not the anatomically impos- sible doll). Aborigines. That weird-look- ing opera house. Kangaroos. Wallabies. Saying things like "G'day" and "fair dinkum" and "good on ya!" Calling people "mate." Foster's beer. And did you know that Australians have 57 different ways of saying "vomit"? Good on ya! To our list of all things Australian we have to add one more: Shiraz, or what the Aussies call Syrah. But this is not a column about Shiraz. This is a column about Australian wines other than Shiraz. The last few years have not been kind to the Australian wine industry. The economic collapse that devastated most Western economies including those of the two biggest foreign consum- ers of Australian wine, the U.S. and Britain caused a drastic drop in sales. The Australian dollar has been high against the U.S. dollar and other curren- cies, making exports more expensive at a time when affordable wines from Latin America, Spain, and elsewhere have been gaining popularity. There's also been a glut of Australian wine grapes, which helped drive wine prices down. But Australian winemakers did a pretty good job screwing themselves, too. Jump- ing on the bandwagon of the incredibly successful Yellow Tail wines, they flooded the market with millions of bottles of soft, flabby, characterless wines the sole virtue of which were their low price. As consum- ers grew more sophisticated, they turned to more complex and interesting wines, but not before leaving affordable Australian wines with the (not always justified) reputation as the oenological equivalent ofKool-Aid. The results of our sampling of not-Shiraz bore that out. I wouldn't buy either of the red wines we tasted for this column, not when so many reds from Spain, Latin America, California, even France deliver higher quality for the same or less money. Let's get them out of the way first. Please. The only drinkable one was the 2008 Penfolds Shiraz-Cabernet, a 71/29 percent split of those two grapes (which was perhaps why it made the grade). The vintage is relatively old for an inexpensive wine and it showed in the tasting; its red and black cherry fruit was beginning to fade and be overtaken by tannins and acidity. Another Cabernet Sauvignon never would have made it out the door of any self-respecting Napa Valley winery. Evans & Tate's 2010 Split River Cab was a mess, with an earthy, grassy, candied nose, flavors of underripe cherries and plums, and a finish like sucking lemons. Fail. And speaking of sucking, let's speak of the nonvintage Gumdale Sauvignon Blanc, a blend of grapes from Australia (86 percent) and New Zealand (14 percent). It too was an aromatic tease, offering scents of green apple, apricot, and tropical fruit with a sturdy lemon-lime back- The Ye bone. But then I had to go taste can be it. I could say it was an extremely ABC Fi odd wine the richness and Blvd., viscosity of aballbuster California reason Chardonnay with the paint-strip- consci ping acidity of turpentine -but for all it's easier to just say it sucks. Publix You don't often see a 2171). 100-percent Semillon from Miami Australia (or elsewhere) on the has th< market, so the 2011 Tyrrell's Miami Hunter Valley Semillon was Blvd., a rather pleasant surprise. A Semill pleasant wine, too, with lots of GumdE lemon, lime, and grapefruit, but Evans with some balancing richness, not an acrid tart bomb. What's really ironic is that the best wine of the tasting was a new version of the original "critter wine" that started the whole Australian wine boom: Yellow Tail's Non-Vintage "Tree Free" Char- donnay. With no oak aging and remark- ably low 11.5-percent alcohol, it is crisp and refreshing without searing your taste buds with an acidic blowtorch. And with a little citrus, some apricot, and pear, it's a clean, simple expression ofvarietal I 1'i B-1- llowtail "Tree Free" Chardonnay found at the North Miami Beach ne Wine & Spirits (16355 Biscayne 305-944-6525) for an exceedingly able $5.99, while the equally value- ous Fish Eye Chardonnay goes of $6.99 at the Biscayne Commons (14641 Biscayne Blvd., 305-354- Crown Wine and Spirits in North (12555 Biscayne Blvd., 305-892-9463) e Penfolds for $9.99. At the North Total Wine & More (14750 Biscayne 305-354-3270) you'll find the Tyrrell's on for $11.99 and, if you must, the le Sauvignon Blanc for $7.49 and & Tate Cabernet for $9.99. character. A good deal for six bucks. One of those Yellow Tail descendants is the 2010 Fish Eye Chardonnay, a wine that will appeal to those who like a slightly fruitier, fuller-bodied, oak-tinged Chardon- nay, not to mention one that's a good value. It tastes of red and green apples and apricots, stiffened by a bit of Meyer lemon acidity, and delivers a long, enjoyable citrus finish. And that really is fair dinkum, mate. Feedback: letters(@ibiscaynetimes.com Expert Remodeling O, VER 30 YEARS IN THE TRADE I I ON TIME ON BUDGET SInterior Renovations Our Favorite I Kitchens and Bathrooms Our Specialties Molding and Doors No Job Too Small Licensed and Insured FOR ALL YOUR CONSTRUCTION NEEDS David Hester, Inc. 786-294-0954 L.L. C.CRC1330637 BiscayneTimes ww.Biscayn imesaco Septembr 2012 A, Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Columnists: DISH Zooming Out of Zuma Food news we know you can use By Pamela Robin Brandt BT Contributor Ssle Miamians watched Olym- pians perform prodigious feats V last month, a report from two restaurant and workplace health research groups warned that locals may themselves be participating in a dangerous sport: dining out. With only 11.4 percent of our county's generally underpaid restaurant workers having paid sick days, 47 percent have worked sick, and "over 40 percent of those reported coughing or sneezing while handling food." Reason enough to support Miami-Dade County Commissioner Bar- bara Jordan's effort to introduce legislation mandating earned paid sick days. OPENINGS Aijo (1331 Brickell Bay Dr., 786-452- 1637). Hidden inside Jade condo, this chic space specializes in Japanese fusion dishes from a staff featuring four former Zuma employees, including executive chef Christian Bonilla. Creativity is highly encouraged (a main motivation for the four ship-jumpers, says owner Rene Buroz), so expect menu surprises. But signatures range from the Reneboy sushi roll (crisped rice, subtly smoked salmon, and an eel sauce/crunchy walnut topping) to a long-marinated robata-grilled rib-eye with "truffle explosion" dip. An award- winning mixologist creates cocktails, juggles, and plays with fire. TIKL Raw Bar & Grill (1450 Brickell Ave. #110, 305-372-0620). From the team behind longtime South Beach seafood favorite Altamare, this much- anticipated eatery has an izakaya-style menu (as at Sugarcane or Zuma) featur- ing mostly small plates in several catego- ries: creative crudos, robata-grilled items, and chef Simon Stojanovic's prepared plates (like saut6ed whole local white shrimp with shishito peppers). Brother Jimmy's BBQ (900 S. Miami Ave. #135, 786-360-3650). Barbecue isn't supposed to move from north to south, but that's the story of this first Florida location of Brother Jimmy's, whose original parent opened in NYC more than 20 years ago. Seems like it's been nearly that long since this Mary Brickell Village branch was first touted. Doma Polo Bistro (900 Biscayne Blvd. #102/103, 305-400-0588). The d6cor is ultra-upscale rustic. The food is Argen- tinean steakhouse stuff massive grilled parrilla assortments and other beefy dishes like locra (beef/bean/hominy/ squash stew), plus some non-steak choices like cilantro-sauced free-range chicken. Taverna Opa (900 S. Miami Ave. #269, 305-673-6730). This latest of six Florida Opas is bigger than the South Beach original, but the boisterous party ambiance, reminiscent of Greece's more tourist-oriented eateries, is the same: loud music, plates breaking, belly dancers, and a menu of Greece's Greatest Hits. Shokudo and the Sake Bar at Shoku- do (4740 NE 2nd Ave., 305-758-7782). From the folks at South Beach's late, lamented World Resource Cafe, the "path to food" / .. t ; ' (translation of shokudo) leads to small plates inspired by street foods of numerous Asian nations. A separate bar building in the backyard serves Asian drinks and snacks in a more casual countertop setting. CLOSINGS Caf6 46, a reincarnation of Joe Allen res- taurant on the Beach, has closed its doors in Buena Vista after six months. According to co-owner and host Mario Rubeo, who gave Joe Allen its charm, the original plan was to close for summer and reopen in October, but that changed when a potential investor fell through. The place was bleed- ing its owners dry, says Rubeo, who'll be taking a break from the restaurant industry. After only several months in busi- ness, the Design District's Barrel Wine Cantine closed abruptly early in August and was stripped floor to ceiling over- night, leaving nothing behind unless you count unpaid bills from vendors, staff, and apparently the wine bar and market's landlord. An eviction notice on the door stated that almost $6000 in back rent was owed. Chef/co-owner Victor Passalacqua says he split with his two partners more than a month before the closing. Chalk it up to creative differ- ences. A contractor-type guy I cornered rr. e :.' / walking around the decimated space with a clipboard said a new restaurant was in the works but he wasn't allowed to share details except that the new place won't be a reborn Barrel. Next door to Barrel, chocolatier/ tea room Florin, which opened ear- lier in 2012, is also kaput. (In fact the whole block of adjoining shops is under construction.) No response so far from co-owner/patisserie Grazia Maggi. SIDE DISH The anniversary of Julia Child's 100th birthday was August 15, but you haven't missed the party yet. On September 15, Les Dames d'Escoffier Miami hosts "Celebrating Julia at 100," an all-day birthday bash downtown. Tickets to the events, starting with a Julia-themed cook- ing seminar by Michelle Bernstein and culminating with a Julia-inspired dinner from Norman Van Aken at the Miami Culinary Institute's restaurant Tuyo, are available at lesdamesmiami.org. Check out our "BizBuzz" column (page 26) for more restaurant news from BT adver- tisers. And remember to send me restaurant info: restaurants@biscaynetimes.com. Feedback: letters@ibbiscaynetimes.com Sekze mnd Repdr cdl Mnaes nd mnod6 of Motocydes ad Scootm 70-356-=Q& ,o Join us for VIP Introductions to local small businesses and exclusive specials Wednesday, October 17, 2012 5:00pm-9:00pm At Villa221 Miami Li._"unr, i_d '..r Holurli, RAHIp-I r-arkirnJ .. lblg Information available at www.nicolawaters.com p~srrclY~r ~............i~ I== Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com 89 September 2012 Restaurant Listings " The Biscayne Corridor's most comprehensive restaurant guide. Total this month: 296. """"""" "" "M"""" 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 Restaurant listings for the BT Dining Guide are written by Pamela Robin Brandt (restaurants@biscaynetimes. com). Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, but restaurants frequently change menus, chefs, and operating hours, so please call ahead to confirm information. Icons ($$$) represent estimates for a typical meal without wine, tax, or tip. Hyphenated icons ($-$$$) indicate a significant range in prices between lunch and dinner menus, or among individual items on those menus. $= $10 and under $$= $20 $$$= $30 $$$$= $40 $$$$$= $50 and over Brickell / Downtown Area 31 270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, 305-424-5234 Not that the sleek interior of this seafood restaurant (named for fishing area 31, stretching from the Carolinas to South America) isn't a glamorous dining setting But we'd eat out- side From the expansive terrace of the Epic condo and hotel on the Miami River, the views of Brickell s high-rises actually make Miami look like a real city Its hard to decide whether the eats or drinks are the most impressive The food is impec- cably fresh regional fish, prepared in a clean Mediterranean- influenced style The cocktails are genuinely creative Luckily you don't have to choose one or the other $$$-$$$$ Azul 500 Brickell Key Dr., 305-913-8254 Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase Biscayne Bay But diners prefer ogling the raw-bar-fronted open kitchen, where glo- betrotting chef Joel Huff crafts imaginative, often multi-part dishes -- some Asian-inspired (like oysters with fresh wasabi, hibiscus granite, and Asian pear), as one would expect from the Mandarin Oriental s top eatery But most of Huffs dishes are strongly European-influenced, primarily by New Spanish cuisine Elegant, playfully molecular gastronomy-accented almond gazpacho with foie gras snow," or eggs, bacon & toast" (suckling pig, tempura duck egg, truffled potato, and speck air") tell the story $$$$$ Balans 901S. Miami Ave., (Mary Brickell Village), 305-534-9191 Open until 4 00 a m on weekends, this London import (Miami's second Balans) offers a sleeker setting than its peren- nially popular Lincoln Road progenitor, but the same simple yet sophisticated global menu The indoor space can get mighty I e-4 V I- 555NE15t Sree, thFlorMia iFI loud, but lounging on the dog-friendly outdoor terrace, over a rich croque monsieur (which comes with an alluringly sweet/ sour citrus-dressed side salad), a lobster club on onion toast, some surprisingly solid Asian fusion items, and a cocktail is one of Miami's more relaxing experiences $$-$$$ Bali Caf6 109 NE 2nd Ave., 305-358-5751 While Indonesian food isn't easyto find in Miami, downtown has secret stashes small joints catering to cruise-ship and construction workers This cute, exotically decorated cafe has survived and thrived for good reason The homey cook- ing is delicious, and the friendly family feel encourages even the timid of palate to try something new Novices will want Indonesia's signature rjsttafel, a mix-and-match collection of small dishes and condiments to be heaped on rice Note bring cash No plastic accepted here $-$$ Banana & Leaf 234 NE 3rd St., 786-431-5548 Ever get tempted by the convenience of supermarket sushi boxes, but feel uneasy about freshness and disgruntled about sparseness of fillings In the grab-and-go containers here. raw fish glistens and makis like a plump snow crab roll have a satisfying seafood-to-rice ratio If you'd rather, dishes on the larger custom menu arrive almost as fast There s also limited tasty Southeast Asian fare Most unbelievable Prices beat supermarket sushi by far $ The Bar at Level 25 (Conrad Hotel) 1395 Brickell Ave., 305-503-6500 On the Conrad's 25th floor. The Bar's picture-windowed space is notjust a watering hole with panoramic views At lunch it's an elegant sandwich bar, at night its a raw bar (with pristine coldwater oysters) and (best) a tapas bar serving pintxos That's just the Basque word for tapas, but here there's noth- ing mere about the generously portioned small plates They range from traditional items like cod fish equixada and saffron- sauteed Spanish artichokes to inventive inspirations like foie gras and goat cheese-stuffed empanadas $$$ Bento Sushi & Chinese 801 Brickell Bay Dr., 305-603-8904 Hidden in the Four Ambassadors Towers, this tiny spot (which specializes in sushi plus Japanese small plates, but also serves limited Chinese and Thai-inspired dishes of the mix-and-match, pick-your-protein-then-preparation sort) has been mostly an insider's secret deliveryjoint for Brickell residents But its actually a pleasant place to relax outside, enjoying a bay view and budget bento box specials that include miso soup, ginger- dressed salad, California roll, and fresh orange sections, plus two mini-entrees (the nigin assortment sushi and lacy-battered tempura especially recommended) Bubble tea, tool $$-$$$ Bon Fromage 500 Brickell Ave. #106, 786-329-5632 Though independently owned instead of a chain cog, this cheese and wine cafe/shop is like a pint-size version of Midtown S Free Glass of Wine SWith Every Dinner Order. Limit one per customer. I -. . . - - - . . .- - - . .l BRICKELL / DOWNTOWN Pollos & Jarras 115 NE 3rd Ave., 786-567-4940 From Juan Chipoco, Peruvian chef/co-owner of seafood- centric Cvi Che 105, this stylish but affordable two-level restaurant is centered around polio a la brasa, as a huge rotisserie oven attests Grilled steaks, unique sandwiches, anticuchos, and varied starters and sides are also served, but the must-not-miss is rotisserie chicken, marinated in roughly a dozen-and-a-half seasonings before a self-basting spin on the spit cooks it to incomparable juiciness It's served with crisp fries and a substantial salad Meals also come with a complimentary cup of aguadito -- assertively cilantro-spiked chicken rice soup $$ MIDTOWN / WYNWOOD / DESIGN DISTRICT Pasta Folie's Shops at Midtown Miami 3252 NE 1st Ave. #118, 786-382-0205 In France the word folie" can mean extravagant" More often it means madness It's the latter translation that first comes to mind when perusing the menu of this French Rivera pasta/ pizza fast-casual chain, whose concept is pastas, plus pizzas, from around the world -- even Italy Don't expect authenticity from the more exotic toppings, they basically contain one typical ingredient (along with a generic onlons/peppers/veg assortment) bean sprouts in Thailand's spaghetti, pineapple in Ball's, curry sauce on India's Do expect super-fresh sauces, made daily Friendly staffers and fun $$ Shokudo World Resource Caf6 4740 NE 2nd Ave., 305-758-7782 At its former Lincoln Road location, World Resource's cafe was better known for people-watching than for its standard sushi/Thai menu But as the new name signals, this relocation is a reinvention The indoor/outdoor space is charming, but creative takes on popular pan-Asian street foods are the real draw Travel from Japan and Thailand through Korea, Vietnam, China, the Philippines, and beyond via light housemade momo, curried potato-stuffed Tibetan/Nepalese steamed dumplings, savory pulled pork buns with klmchi and crisped onions Noodle dishes, hot or chilled, are especially appealing $$-$$$ Miami's Cheese Course, right down to being officially self-ser- vice But it is staffed by accommodating employees who, unof- ficially, do their best to double as servers for eat-in diners The cheese (plus charcuterie) menu of garnished platters, salads, 00FF With $50 Purchase Dine-In s5 OFF With $25 Purchase lgt BAY HARBOR ISLANDS Le Pine 1052 Kane Concourse, 305-861-1059 This upscale Lebanese restaurant serves dishes with the sort of understated sophistication that makes clear why Beirut was called the Paris of the East You'll find familiar Middle Eastern favorites, but many have refinements that lift them above average pita that's housemade, charm- ingly fluffy when warm from the oven, falafel incorporating flavorful fava beans with the usual ground chickpeas Especially appealing are more uncommon items like crisp-fried cauliflower with tahini fateh (a chickpea cas- serole "ced" with thick yogurt), and buttery cheese/herb- filled sambusak pastries Finish exotically with a hookah $$-$$$ Tiny Thai House 12953 Biscayne Blvd., 305-895-1646 The space is tiny The menu. which features Thai special- ties but includes sushi plus Japanese appetizers and entrees, is not Despite the huge selection of sushi/Thai restaurant standards, though, don't overlook items harder to find in America. like "floating noodle" soup. a popular street food from Thailand's boat-based market stalls. similar in savor to Vietnamese pho, the dish contains beef, bean sprouts, and noodles heaped in umaml-rich beef broth Among the nicely priced sushi selections, the Mylo roll (tuna, salmon, crab, avocado, and cuke, topped with tempura fish and eel sauce) is a tasty pick Don't miss sticky rice with mango for dessert $$ Kings County Pizza 18228 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-792-9455 If your feelings about Brooklyn-style pizza have been formed by Domino's flopsy-crusted, ketchupy, cheese- foody pies, stop here to sample a slice of the real thing Admittedly, the crusts are not those of the coal-fired clas- sics from Brooklyn's legendary Totonno's or Grimaldi's, but they're similarly medium-thin and crisp -- though not like a cracker, you can fold them for neat street eating, and they taste like honest bread, not cardboard A variety of toppings are available even on slices There are also whole pies with varied toppings The large" is humongous $-$$ and crusty baguette sandwiches features numerous high-quality imported favorites, but don't miss more unusual domestic trea- sures like Wisconsin bread, a cooked cheese that, like halloumli doesn't melt but tantalizingly softens when heated $$ 1071* 79h Sbf unnl ll rL 1 Ponm: 5.577 133 I 1ppBA us Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 3I1 I,4 -14 91. ^- For 2 Adults For Lunch, Dine In Only. For 2 Adults For Dinner, Dine In Only. Any Day, Any Time! Dine In On. : Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com i qP 47 F'44 ,, I ,. S September 2012 Dining Guide: RESTAURANTS Bryan in the Kitchen 104 NE 2nd Ave., 305371-7777 This quirky cafe-markets chef/owner is a former smoothle- swilling model who is now into fresh whole foods, and though his eclectic "green gourmet" menu does uniformly reflect his dedication to ecological consciousness, it otherwise could only be described as intensely personal Offerings are an odd but appealing saint/sinner mix, ranging from healthy pasta/ grain salads and homemade-from-scratch snacks (beef jerky, granola) to unique cupcakes featuring not-too-sweet adult flavors and irresistible sticky buns If we had to choose just one category, we'd sin But luckily, you can have it all $-$$ Caf6 Bastille 248 SE 1st St., 786-425-3575 Breakfasting on a ham-egg-cheese crepe at this very French- feeling and tasting cafe is a most civilized way to start the day Formerly breakfast and lunch only. the cafe is now open for dinner, too And while the crepes (both savory and sweet) are tempting and varied enough to eat all day. dinner choices like homemade foie gras (with onion jam and Guerande salt), salmon with lentils and fennel salsa, or a very affordable skirt steak au poivre make it possible to resist $-$$$ Caf6 Sambal 500 Brickell Key Dr., 305-913-8358 Though the Mandarin Oriental Hotel describes this space as its casual hotel restaurant," many consider it a more spectacular dining setting than the upscale Azul, upstairs, owing to the option of dining outdoors on a covered terrace directly on the waterfront The food is Asian-inspired, with a few Latin and Mediterranean accents For the health-conscious, the menu includes low-cal choices For hedonists there's a big selection of artisan sakes $$$-$$$$$ Cavas Wine Tasting Room 900 S. Miami Ave. #180, 305-372-8027 Like South Miami's predecessor (now closed), this Cavas is mainly an upscale, high-tech tasting lounge for the wine-curious Patrons buy prepaid cards to sample ounce, half-glass, or full-glass portions from more than 50 self-service dispensing machines But there's an extensive selection of tapas/pintxos small plates, flatbread "pizzas," sandwiches, plus fully garnished charcuterie and cheese platters specially selected to pair well with vino Additionally, more substantial dishes have been added, including a daily three-course lunch special and some tasty, bargain-priced soups (carrot cream with Gouda particu- larly recommended) $$-$$$ Chophouse Miami 300 S. Biscayne Blvd., 305-938-9000 Formerly Mannys Steakhouse, Miami's Chophouse retains basi- cally everything but the famed name (from the original Manny's in Minneapolis), and remains Miami's most intentionally masculine steakhouse Here, ensconced in your black leather booth, everything is humongous dry-aged choice-grade steaks like the Bludgeon of Beef (a boldly flavorful 40-ounce bone-in rlbeye, described as "part meat, part weapon"), king crab legs that dwarf the plate, cocktail shrimp that could swallow the Loch Ness monster whole, two-fisted cocktails that would fell a T-Rex Not for the frail $$$$$ Crazy About You 1155 Brickell Bay Dr. #101, 305-377-4442 The owners, and budget-friendly formula, are the same here as at older Dolores, But You Can Call Me Lolita Buy an entree (all under $20) from a sizable list of Mediterranean, Latin, American, or Asian-influenced choices (like Thai-marinated churrasco with crispy shoestring fries) and get an appetizer for free, including substantial stuff like a Chihuahua cheese casserole with chorizo and pesto The difference This place, housed in the former location of short-lived La Broche, has an even more upscale ambiance than Dolores -- including a million-dollar water view $$$ Cvi.che 105 105 NE 3rd Ave., 305-577-3454 Fusion food -- a modern invention? Not in Peru, where native and Euro-Asian influences have mixed for more than a century But chef Juan Chipoco gives the ceviches and tiraditos served at this hot spot his own unique spin Specialties include flash- marinated raw seafood creations, such as tiradito a la crema de rocoto (sliced fish in citrus-spiked chill/cream sauce) But traditional fusion dishes like Chinese-Peruvian Chaufa fried rice (packed with jumbo shrimp, mussels, and calamari) are also fun, as well as surprisingly affordable $$ db Bistro Moderne 345 Avenue of the Americas, 305-421-8800 Just two words -- "Daniel Boulud" -- should be enough for food- les craving creative French/American comfort cuisine to run, not walk, to this restaurant If they can find it (Hint The mys- terious "Avenue of the Americas" is really Biscayne Boulevard Way Don't ask) Downtown's db is an absentee celeb chef outpost, but on-site kitchen wizard Jarrod Verbiak flawlessly executes dishes ranging from the original NYC db Bistro's sig- nature foie gras/short rib/black truffle-stuffed burger to local market-driven dishes like crusted pompano with garlic/parsley veloute $$$-$$$$ The Democratic Republic of Beer 255 NE 14th St., 305-372-4161 The food here? Beer is food The DRB serves 400 beers from 55 countries, ranging from $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon to $40 DeuS (an 115% alcohol Belgian method Champenoise brew) But for those favoring solid snacks, tasty global smallish plates include fried fresh zucchini with dip (cheese recommended), chorizo with homemade cilantro Mayo, or steak tacos, served Mexican-style with onions, cilantro, and spicy salsa Sadly for breakfast-brew enthusiasts, the DRB isn't open that early But it is open late --till 5 00 am $$ D-Dog House 50 SW 10th St., 305-381-7770 While it has become increasingly common to find servers at upscale restaurants utilizing computerized POS (point of service) systems to take orders, this high-tech hole-in-the-wall trumps them by replacing servers -- and In-house entertain- ment, too -- with iPads that accept notjust food orders and credit cards but music requests You can web surf or game, too, while waiting for your choice of the house specialty super- sized hot dogs, most overloaded with internationally inspired toppings To accompany, hand-cut fries are a must And have a cocktail There's a full liquor bar $-$$ Dolores, But You Can Call Me Lolita 1000 S. Miami Ave., 305-403-3103 From the stylish setting in Miami's historic Firehouse No 4, one would expect a mighty pricy meal But entrees, which range from Nuevo Latino-style ginger/orange-glazed pork ten- derloin to a platter of Kobe mini-burgers, all cost either $18 or $23 And the price includes an appetizer -- no low-rent crapola, either, but treats like Serrano ham croquetas, a spinach/ leek tart with Portobello mushroom sauce, or shrimp-topped eggplant timbales The best seats are on the glam rooftop patio $$$ Dominique Bistro-Club 1451S. Miami Ave., 305-371-8859 At typical restolounges, the "resto" part often gets the short end of the stick But not at this chic but friendly spot, where Gerardo Barrera, an alumn of Pars's Le Cordon Bleu, plus his wife Dominque and her brother Jose Sigona, welcome diners with France's best-known bistro classics coquilles St Jacques (tender scallops in mushroom/white wine sauce), a precision- cooked entrec6te rib-eye with Bearnaise or complex Cafe de Paris butter, creme brulee (from scratch) or macaron cookies (from heaven) No velvet ropes, and club music isn't cranked till 1100 pm $$$ Edge, Steak & Bar 1435 Brickell Ave., 305-358-3535 Replacing the Four Seasons formal fine dining spot Acqua, Edge offers a more kick-back casual welcoming vibe And in its fare there's a particularly warm welcome for non- carnivores Chef-driven seafood items (several inventive and unusually subtle ceviches and tartares, a layered construc- tion of corvina encrusted in a jewel-bright green pesto crust, atop red piquillo sauce stripes and salad, lobster corn soup packed with sweet lobster meat, more) and a farm-to-table produce emphasis make this one steakhouse where those who don't eat beef have no beef $$$$-$$$$$ Elwoods Gastro Pub 188 NE 3rd Ave., 305-358-5222 Cordial English owners, classic rock music (sometimes live), and updated classic pub fare make this hangout a home Made from scratch with artisan ingredients, traditional Brit bites like fish and chips can't be beat -- thick pieces of crisply beer-battered moist cod, served with hand-cut fries and "mushy [mashed] peas," plus housemade tartar sauce and ketchup All desserts are also made in-house, including a deliriously rich (but worth it) sticky date pudding with toffee sauce Tie down your dental Implants They're in for a wild ride $$ Eos 485 Brickell Ave. (Viceroy Hotel), 305-503-0373 Originally opened by Michelin-starred "New Aegean" chef Michael Psilakis, Eos changed upon the chef's departure into a more familiar Mediterranean resort eatery, minus Greek- inspired innovations Now inspiration comes mainly from Spain and Italy, with nods to Morocco and Latin America Best bets include a tasting platter of Spanish cheeses and cured meats, a pistachio-garnished salad featuring Serrano ham, figs, and arugula, crispy parmesan risotto balls with prosciutto and smoked tomato dip, and olive/smoked paprika-rubbed roast chicken At lunch burgers and upscale sandwiches are added $$$-$$$$ Eternity Coffee Roasters 117 SE 2nd Ave., 305-609-4981 Normally we list only full restaurants, but even a (not so) simple cuppa joe from Chris Johnson and Crstina Garces's sleek micro-roastery will convince anyone possessing taste buds that fine coffee can be as complex as fine wine, and as satisfying as solid food A changing selection of superior single-origin beans (many varieties from the Garces family's Colombian farm, most others from Ethiopia and Kenya), roasted in-house, produces "slow-pour" regular brews with amazing nuances of fruits, chocolate, and more The espres- so is so smooth sugar isn't necessary Other treats flaky chocolate-stuffed "cigars" and other locally baked pastries Free parking $ Fado Irish Pub 900 S. Miami Ave. #200, 786-924-0972 Unlike most Miami "Irish" pubs, which serve mostly American bar food, rarely foraying past fish and chips or shepherd's pie, Fado (pronounced "fdoe") has a menu reflecting the pub grub found today in Ireland, including solid standards But most intriguing are dishes mixing clas- sic and contemporary influences, particularly those featur- ing boxty, a grated/mashed potato pancake Try corned beef rolls (boxty wraps, with creamy mustard sauce and cabbage slaw), or smoked salmon on mini-boxty "blini," with capers and horseradish sauce There's a seasonal menu, too $$ o Smoothies Vitamins S l Supplementsnack ... Healthy Snacks s1 OFF Any Size Smoothie m SkIoowrk w Uo "-- -l'ga de llm m d as4muwil&m - mm ml m amlmm nm* 01 mr111 mn FREE SMOOTHIE - Buy3 a 2 o. or 40 oznthl and gt a 20 OZ. m Kooth free SNOOTIIE KaG U aSoo ft a- =9 Ask us about catering and fundraiing! WIl I&- S TIE iHGe Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com SH OKUDO SY WORLD RESOURCE CAFE A1 1b tg^^. If Rest Net verH"ad tu ofth1s ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!^^^f^^]^m cd&^ BOURBON STEAK MI I M I CELEBRATE MIAMI SPICE liomi Spi:e Imonth Is ::fi31ol1, here ird to celetrcite thIs ImuCil c itICporfI:ted prc'miO:tIc'fl fl. t .OUe to, BOURB,.I.1] STE AK for a specicill, priced three-cocurse rrnTe U fll 4ed .\.ith ,cl, r _rrr it Si,3rIotIlJre dishes Sre e1 Il, -ur .v\'crlI:-re- _: neId c:he fs $39 per person, plus tax and gratuity. A. .'ilOIe Ss.'enr I rnI Jghts .ve4.: from A Ugust 1 Septelmber 30 201 2 Reservations 786.279.6600 www.bourbonsteakmiami.com Corriplierier \or 0 1i3t jOzr ri-g \\ti it inner Esquire Best Steok ornd \ rien Sp.ectator Best of A\\ ,-rd of E.,-ellence Lca:ted o Tur nt:.err, ISIle [,I.11om 1 .'9" .' West Co::Jurtr, ClutL, Dr l. in A.e ntura Dining Guide: RESTAURANTS Finnegan's River 401 SW 3rd Ave., 305-285-3030 Pool tables are expected in a sports bar and grill But an actual poolp And a Jacuzzi? This Miami River hideaway has other sur- prises, too, on its extensive outdoor deck, including a boat dock and a large array of umbrella tables and lounge chairs where its easy to while away many happy hours The menu is the same array of bar bites served by South Beach's older Finnegan's, but angus burgers are big and tasty, and zingyjalapeno-studded smoked-fish dip is a satisfyingtable-snack choice $$ First Hong Kong Caf6 117 SE 2nd St., 305-808-6665 Old Hong Kong saying If it walks, swims, crawls, or flies, its edi- ble And nowhere is this truer than in this historically internation- al trade ports "cafes" -- meaning fast-food restaurants Typical menus present hundreds of items that are local interpretations of dishes from all China, and most other nations So believe us At this cafe, whose head chef is from HK, the Indian-style cur- ries, sambal-splked Indonesian chow fun, even the borscht (a tomato/beef, not beet-based version of the Russian soup) are as authentic as the kung pao whatever, and as tasty $$ Fratelli Milano 213 SE 1st St., 305-373-2300 Downtown isn't yet a 24/7 urban center, but its experiencing a mini explosion of eateries open at night That includes this family-owned rlstorante, where even newcomers feel at home At lunch its almost impossible to resist paninl, served on foc- cacla or crunchy clabatta, even the vegetarian version bursts with complex and complementary flavors During weekday dinners, try generous plates of risotto with shrimp and grilled asparagus, homemade pastas like seafood-packed fettuccine al scoglio, or delicate Vitello alla Milanese on arugula $$-$$$ Garcia's Seafood Grille and Fish Market 398 NW N. River Dr., 305-375-0765 Run by a fishing family for a couple of generations, this vener- able Florida fish shack is the real thing No worries about the seafood's freshness, on their way to the dining deck overlook- ing the Miami River, diners can view the retail fish market Best preparations are the simplest When stone crabs are in season, Garcla's claws are as good as Joe's but considerably cheaper The local fish sandwich is most popular grouper, yellowtail snapper, or mahl mahl $-$$ Giovana Caffe 154 SE 1st Ave.305-374-1024 If the menu at this charming downtown hideaway contained only one item -- pear and gorgonzola ravioli dressed, not drowned, in sage-spiced cream sauce -- we'd be happy But the cafe, formerly lunch-only but now serving weekday dinners, is also justly famed for meal-size salads like grilled skirt steak atop sweetly balsamic-dressed spinach (with spinach, toma- toes, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, blue cheese, and almonds), or an especially lavish chicken salad with pine nuts, golden raisins, apples, and basil, an Italian twist $$ Grimpa Steakhouse 901 Brickell Plaza, 305-455-4757 This expansive indoor/outdoor Brazilian eatery is sleekly contem- porary, but no worries The classic sword-wielding gauchos are here, serving a mind-reeling assortment of skewered beef, chick- en, lamb, pork, sausages, and fish And included in the price (dinner $47, lunch $34) is the traditional belly-busting buffet of hot and cold prepared foods, salad, cold cuts, and cheeses A pleasant, nontraditional surprise unusual sauces like sweet/tart passion fruit or mint, tomato-based BBQ, and mango chutney, along with the ubiquitous chimichurrl $$$$-$$$$$ Half Moon Empanadas 192 SE 1st Ave., 305-379-2525 As with South Beach's original Half Moon, you can get wraps or salads But its this snackerys unique take on Argentine-style empanadas that makes it seem a natural for national franchising The soft-crusted, doughy crescents -- baked, not fried, so relatively guilt-free -- are amply stuffed with fillings both classic (beef and chicken, either mild or spicy) and creative the bacon cheese- burger, the pancetta/mozzarella/plum-filled Americana, and several vegetarian options Atjust over two bucks apiece, there a moneysaving moveable feast $ Hawa Jade 1331 Brickell Bay Dr., 305-905-5523 When thinking fusion" cuisines, Japanese and Lebanese don't instantly spring to mind But taking the medieval Spice Route connection as inspiration, the Hawa family makes the mix work at both its original Coral Gables Hawa and this new location in the Jade Residences Golden Pockets (tofu crepes encasing maca- damlas, avocado, and tuna, crab, shrimp, or Kobe-style beef) are musts Plus there are unique combos containing makis plus substantial salads, like crunchy tuna enoki rolls with falafel salad - not the usual green garnish Housemade desserts with a French twist are also a pleasant surprise $$ Hibachi Grill 45 NE 3rd Ave., 305-374-2223 Imagine a mini-express Benlhana This place specializes in tep- panyaki cuisine -- minus the thrilling (or terrifying) tableside knife theatrics, true, but the one-plate meals of seasoned steak slices, chicken, shrimp, or salmon plus dipping sauces, fried rice, and an onion/zucchini mix come at bargain prices There are also hefty soups or Japanese, Thai, and Singapore-style noodle and rice bowls loaded with veggies and choice of protein (including tofu) The limited sides are Japanese (shumal, plump chicken gyoza) and Chinese (various egg rolls) Fancy? No, but satisfying $-$$ II Gabbiano 335 S. Biscayne Blvd., 305-373-0063 Its location at the mouth of the Miami River makes this ultra- upscale Italian spot (especially the outdoor terrace) the perfect power lunch/business dinner alternative to steakhouses And the culinary experience goes way beyond the typical meat mar- ket, thanks in part to the flood of freebies that's a trademark of Manhattan's II Mulino, originally run by II Gabblano's owners The rest of the food? Pricy, but portions are mammoth And the champagne-cream-sauced housemade ravioli with black truffles? Worth every penny $$$$$ Indigo / Table 40 100 Chopin Plaza, 305-577-1000 Long known for its power-lunch buffet including hot entrees, carv- ing station, custom pastas, packed-to-the-gills salad, sushi, and dessert stations -- the InterContinental Hotel's Indigo restaurant now has a hip offspring intended for private dining Table 40 The charming, glassed-in wine "cellar" (actually in the kitchen) enables 12-14 diners to watch the action in heat-shielded, soundproofed comfort while eating creations by veteran chef Alexander Feher, combining Continental technique with local seasonal ingredients Highlights tender house-smoked, stout-braised short ribs, lavish lobster salad with grilled mango, and a seductive fresh corn gazpa- cho $$$-$$$$$ Jackson Soul Food 950 NW 3rd Ave., 305-377-6710] With a recently refurbished exterior to match its classy/comfy retro interior, this 65-year-old Overtown soul food breakfast insti- tution now has only one drawback It closes at 100 p m Never mind, night owls If you're a first-timer here, order the astonish- ingly fluffy pancakes with juicy beef sausage, and you'll set multiple alarm clocks to return Classic drop biscuits (preferably with gravy) are also must-haves And hearty Southern breakfast staples like smothered chicken wings or fried fish do make breakfast seem like lunch, too $ Jam6n, Jam6n, Jam6n, 10 SW South River Dr., 305-324-1111 From the outside, you know you're walking into the ground floor of a new condo building But once inside the charmingly rustic room, you'd swear you're in Spain Obviously Spain's famous cured hams are a specialty, as are other pork products on the weekly changing menu, from a roast suckling pig entree to a fried chorizo and chickpea tapa But seafood is also terrific Don't miss bacalao-filled plquillo peppers, or two of Miami's best rice dishes seafood paella and arroz negro (with squid and its ink) $$-$$$ Kork Wine & Cheese Bar 2 S. Miami Ave., 305-377-8899 From the owner of Transit Lounge, a hip hangout long before the downtown/Brickell revival, this more upscale-cool venue is worth checking out for its almost medieval dimly lit decor alone, including a subterranean wine cellar/party room, for- merly a WW II-era bomb shelter Comestibles are limited to wine and cheese plus accompaniments Both are available to go Kork is as much market as lounge But with a stock of roughly 5000 bottles, and a selection of roughly two dozen per- fectly ripe artisanal cheeses -- curated by a cheese sommelier who II create perfect pairings -- who needs more? $$ Largo Bar & Grill 401 Biscayne Blvd., 305-374-9706 Sure, Bayside Marketplace is touristy But it can be fun to spend a day playing visitor in your own city If you do, this waterfront place overlooking Miamarlna is a superior food choice Expect nothing cutting edge, just tasty, familiar favor- ites solidly prepared You won't go wrong with stone crab claws and Cajun mustard dip, inauthentic but delicious fish tacos in hard blue corn tortillas with two sauces (cilantro and chipotle), generously portioned fish sandwiches (grouper, mahl, snapper, or daily catch), and festive cocktails $$-$$$ La Loggia Ristorante and Lounge 68 W. Flagler St., 305-373-4800 This luxuriantly neo-classical yet warm Italian restaurant was unquestionably a pioneer in revitalizing downtown With alter- natives like amaretto-tinged pumpkin agnolloti in sage butter sauce and cllantro-spiced white bean/vegetable salad dressed with truffle oil, proprietors Jennifer Porciello and Horatio Olivelra continue to draw a lunch crowd that returns for dinner, or perhapsjust stays on through the afternoon, fueled by the Lawyer's Liquid Lunch, a vodka martini spiked with sweetened espresso $$$ La Moon 144 SW 8th St., 305-860-6209 At four in the morning, nothing quells the munchies like a Crazy Burger, a Colombian take on a trucker's burger beef patty, bacon, ham, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, and a fried egg, with an arepa corn pancake "bun" While this tiny place's late hours (till 6'00 a m Friday and Saturday) are surprising, the daytime menu is more so In addition to Colombian classics, there's a salad Nicoise with grilled fresh tuna, seared salmon with mango salsa, and other yuppie favorites $-$$ La Provence 1064 Brickell Ave. 786-425-9003 Great baguettes in the bread basket, many believe, indicate a great meal to come But when Miamlans encounter such bread -- crackling crust outside, moist, aromatic, aerated inte- rior -- its likely not from a restaurant's own kitchen, but from La Provence Buttery croissants and party-perfect pastries are legend too Not so familiar is the bakery's cafe component, whose sandwich/salad menu reflects local eclectic tastes But French items like pan bagnats (essentially salade Nigolse on artisan bread) will truly transport diners to co-owner David Thau's Provengal homeland $$ La Sandwicherie 34 SW 8th St., 305-374-9852 This second location of the open-air diner that is South Beach's favorite apres-club eatery (since 1988) closes earlier (midnight Sunday-Thursday, 5 00 a m Friday and Saturday), but the smoothies, salads, and superb Parisan sandwiches are the same ultra-crusty baguette stuffed with evocative charcuterie and chees- es (saucisson sec, country pate, camembert, etc) and choice of salad veggies plus salty/tart cornichons and Sandwicherle's incomparable Dijon mustard vinaigrette Additionally the larger branch has an interior, with a kitchen enabling hot foods (quiches and croques), plus A/C $-$$ Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 4 :.. ~p7- September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com t;l ..... II September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com KITCHEN AT THE NEWPORT BEACHSIDE HOTEL & RESORT All You Can Eat Lobster $35.00 Indolin .. ar-an LitrD L'r... . rustic, simple. authentic cooinq open lunch an] dinner seven cOaqs 4312 ne 2nd ave 305-576-6066 www.mandolinmiami.com ,il Dining Guide: RESTAURANTS Le Boudoir Brickell 188 SE 12th Terr., 305-372-233 At this French bakery/cafe, mornings start seriously, with choices ranging from quality cheese, charcuterle/pate, or smoked salmon platters to chic Continental and complete American breakfasts At lunch, generously salad-garnished, open-faced tartines are irresist- ible But sophisticated salads and homemade soups make the choice tough And do not skip dessert Superb sweets include rich almond/fresh raspberry or properlytangy lemon tarts, traditional Madeleines, airy layered mousses, and addictive mini-macaroon sandwich cookies with daily-changing fillings $-$$ Lime Fresh Mexican Grill 1W Flagler St, Suite 7, 305-789-9929 (See Midtown / Wynwood / Design District listing) Little Lotus 25 N. Miami Ave. #107, 305-533-2700 Secreted inside the International Jewelry Exchange, this eatery (owned by stealth super-foodle Sari Maharani -- paralegal by day, restaurateur by night) is tough to find but seems destined to become one of our town's toughest tables to book Two talented chefs, whose credits include Morimoto (NYC) and hometown fave Yakko-san, create Japanese, Indonesian, and fusion small plates that look remarkably artful and taste like they're about ready to take on Iron Chef Morimoto himself Saucing, often with multiple but balanced potions, is especially noteworthy The prices' A steal $-$$ LouLou Le Petit Bistro 638 S. Miami Ave., 305-379-1404 When Indochine's owner, Jacques Ardisson, closed hisAsian spot to open this charming French eatery in the same space, it was a return to his roots He and his daughter, for whom the place is named, come from Nice You'll be transported, too, by dishes like lamb shank with flageolets (known as the caviar of beans), duck leg confit on a bed of mouthwatering green lentils from Le Puy, a clas- sic moules/frites, a shared charcuterie platter with a bottle from the sawy wine list, and, of course, salade nigoise $$-$$$ Martini 28 146 SE 1st Ave., 305-577-4414 This stylish little lunch-only spot, a labor of love from a husband-wife chef team, serves what might well be the most impressive meal deal in town From an ambitious, dally-chang- ing menu of fare that's geographically eclectic but prepared with solid classic technique, diners get a choice of about ten entrees (substantial stuff like steak au polvre with Madeira cream sauce and roasted potatoes, or pignolia-crusted salmon with Dijon mustard sauce, potatoes, and veggies), plus soup or salad and housemade dessert Forjust $999 Told ya $ Miami Art Caf6 364 SE 1st St., 305-374-5117 For businessfolk on the go, this breakfast/lunch-only French cafe serves up evocative baguette sandwiches (like camembert) loaded, if you like, with greens, olives, and more For those with time to sit, we'd recommend the savory cr6pes, garnished with perfectly dressed salad, or sweet crepe like the Bonne Maman (whose sugar/salted butter stuffing brings Brittany to downtown) And quiches are nicely custardy But there are sur- prises here, too, includingjust a few full entrees, with correctly made traditional sauces one wouldn't expect at a luncheonette --except, perhaps, in Paris $-$$ Miami's Finest Caribbean Restaurant 236 NE 1st Ave., 305-381-9254 Originally from Jamaica, proprietor Miss Pat has been serving her traditional homemade island specialties to downtown office workers and college students since the early 1990s Most popular item here might be the weekday lunch special of jerk chicken with festival (sweet-fried cornmeal bread patties), but even vegetarians are well served with dishes like a tofu, carrot, and chayote curry All entrees come with rice and peas, fried plantains, and salad, so no one leaves hungry $ Mint Leaf 1063 SE 1st Ave., 305-358-5050 Part of London's famous Woodlands Group, this stylish spot, like its Coral Gables parent, serves the sort of upscale Indian food rarely found outside Great Britain or India More interestingly, the menu includes notjust the familiar northern Indian "Mughlal" fare served in most of America's Indian restaurants, but refined versions of south India's scrum ptious street food We've happily assembled whole meals of the vegetarian chaat (snacks) alone And dosal (lacy rice/lentil crepes rolled around fillings ranging S from traditional onion/potato to lamb masala or spicy chicken) are so addictive they oughta be illegal $$$-$$$$ Miss Yip Chinese Caf6 900 Biscayne Blvd., 305-358-0088 Fans of the South Beach original will find the decor different Most notably, there's an outdoor lounge, and more generally a nightclub atmosphere But the menu of Hong Kong-style Chinese food, prepared by imported Chinese cooks, is familiar Simple yet sophisticated Cantonese seafood dishes rock (try S the lightly battered salt-and-pepper shrimp), as does orange peel chicken, spicy/tangy rather than overly sweet And a single two-course Peking duck (skin in crepes, stir-fried meat and veggies with lettuce cups) makes mouthwatering finger food, shared amongfriends $-$$$ Naoe 661 Brickell Key Dr., 305-947-6263 Chances are you've never had anything like the $85 prlx-fixe Japanese dinners at chef Kevin Corys tiny but nationally acclaimed oasis, transplanted from its original Sunny Isles space with its supreme serenity intact By reservation only, in two dinner seatings of just eight people each, and omak- ase (chef's choice) only, meals include a seasonal soup, a four-course bento box, eight pieces of sushi, and three des- serts Cory personally does everything for you, even applying the perfect amount of housemade artisan soy sauce mix and fresh-grated wasabi to each mind-reelingly fresh nigirl Few eating experiences on earth are more luxuriant $$$$$ neMesis Urban Bistro 1035 N. Miami Ave., 305-415-9911 Truly original restaurants are hard to find here, and harder to describe in standard sound bites But they often are the attention-grabbing people-magnets that spark revivals of iffy neighborhoods Thats our prediction for this quirkily decorated bistro, where the kitchen is helmed by Top Chef contestant Micah Edelstein The intensely personal menu of creative dishes inspired by her global travels (plus her fascination with unfamil- iar ingredients) changes constantly, but scrumptious signatures include South African smoked veal bobotle, and Peruvian pinoli pancakes with housemade chicken/apple sausage, hibiscus syrup, and maple granules $$$-$$$$ Novecento 1414 Brickell Ave., 305-403-0900 For those who think "Argentine cuisine" is a synonym for "beef and more beef," this popular eatery's wide range of more cosmopolitan contemporary Argentine fare will be a revelation Classic parrilla-grilled steaks are here for traditionalists, but the menu is dominated by creative Nuevo Latino items like a new- style ceviche de chernia (lightly lime-marinated grouper with jalapenos, basil, and the refreshing sweet counterpoint of water- melon), or crab ravioli with creamy saffron sauce Especially notable are the entree salads $$-$$$ Oceanaire Seafood Room 900 S. Miami Ave., 305-372-8862 With a dozen branches nationwide, Oceanaire May seem more All-American seafood empire than Florida fish shack, but menus vary significantly according to regional tastes and fish Here in Miami, chef Sean Bernal supplements signature starters like lump crab cakes with his own lightly marinated, Peruvian-style grouper ceviche The daily-changing, 15-20 specimen seafood selection includes local fish seldom seen on local menus pompano, parrot fish, amberjack But even flown-in fish (and the raw bar's cold- water oysters) are ultra-fresh $$$$ Ozzi Sushi 200 SE 1st St., 786-704-8003 Since its 1958 invention, conveyor-belt sushi has been the most fun form of Japanese fast food, but problematic Who knew how long plates had been circulating on the sushi-go-round9 Happily, this sushi-boat spot avoids sanitation issues with clear plastic covers, and as for freshness, low prices ensure a steady stream of diners grabbing makis, nigir, and more as they float by Highlights include glistening ikura (salmon roe) in a thin-sliced cucumber cup, a sweet-sauced mango/guava/crab roll, and a festively frosted strawberry Nutella dessert maki $-$$ Pasha's 1414 Brickell Ave., 305-416-5116 The original branch on Lincoln Road was instantly popular, and the same healthy Middle Eastern fast food is served at sev- eral newer outlets The prices are low enough that you might suspect Pasha's was a tax write-off rather than a Harvard Business School project, which it was by founders Antonio Ellek and Nicolas Cortes Dishes range from falafel and gyros to more unusual items like muhammara (tangy walnut spread) and silky labneh yogurt cheese Everything from pitas to lemon- ade is made fresh, from scratch, daily $-$$ Pega Grill 15 E. Flagler St., 305-808-6666 From Thanasios Barlos, a Greek native who formerly owned North Beach's Arlston, this small spot is more casually contemporary and less ethnic-kitschy in ambiance, but serves equally authentic, full-flavored Greek food Mixed lamb/beef gyros (chicken is also an option), topped with tangy yogurt sauce and wrapped, with greens and tomatoes, in fat warm pita bread, are specialties But even more irresistible is the taramasalata (particularly velvety and light carp roe dip), available alone or on an olive/pita-garnished mixed meze platter $$ Peoples Bar-B-Que 360 NW 8th St., 305-373-8080 Oak-smoked, falling-off-the-bone tender barbecued ribs (enhanced with a secret sauce whose recipe goes back several generations) are the main draw at this Overtown institution But the chicken is also a winner, plus there's a full menu of soul food entrees, including what many aficionados consider our town's tastiest souse And it would be unthinkable to call it quits without homemade sweet potato pie or banana pudding, plus a bracing flop half iced tea, half lemonade $-$$ Perricone's 15 SE 10th St., 305-374-9449 Housed in a Revolutionary-era barn (moved from Vermont), this market/cafe was one of the Brickell area's first gentrlfled ame- nities At lunch chicken salad is a favorite, dinner's strong suit is the pasta list, ranging from Grandma Jennie's old-fashioned lasagna to chichi flocchi purses filled with fresh pear and gor- gonzola And Sunday's $15 95 brunch buffet ($9 95 for kids) - featuring an omelet station, waffles, smoked salmon and bagels, salads, and more remains one of our town's most civilized all-you-can-eat deals $$ Pieducks 1451 S. Miami Ave., 305-808-7888 If you can overlook a name as unenlightening as most in-jokes (it evidently refers to a favorite character of owner Claudlo Nunes's kids -- we assume the Pokemon Psyduck), you'll experi- ence pretty perfect pizza Sadly. not all brick ovens turn out perfectly char-blistered crusts, crisp outside and airy/chewy inside, but that's what youII consistently find here and a newer take-out/delivery-only Midtown branch And unlike many artisan pizzerias, Pleducks doesn't get cheesy with cheese quantity (though we like that extra cheese is an option) Elaborate salads complete the menu $$ Pier 94 94 SE 1st St., 305-379-5652 Tucked into "The Village," a collection of courtyard eateries far from any waterfront this ceviche bar specializes in fresh sea- food dishes from chef/owner Alex Del Corral's native Peru, but Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Dining Guide: RESTAURANTS also features famous Peruvian meat and poultry dishes (includ- inga refined aji de gallina, chicken in aji pepper-spiced cream sauce) Emphasis is particularly strong on Peru's penchant for fusion food, including traditional Chifa (Chinese-Peruvian) rice or noodle str-fries But the chef also fuses classic and create influences Try contemporary causes, combining Peru's favorite starch, potatoes, with unique new sauces $$ Prelude Adrienne Arsht Center 1300 Biscayne Blvd., 305-949-6722 Though the opening of Barton G s elegant performing arts center eatery did feature a live giraffe, the food's actually more grown-up than at his original SoBe spot The concept is prlx fixe Any three courses on the menu (meaning three entrees if you want) for $39 Highlights include silky, tarragon-inflected corn/bacon chowder, beautifully plated beef carpaccio with horseradish/mustard and shallot olive oil dipping sauces, and over-the-top playhouse desserts, one with a luscious creme fralche ice cream pop $$$$ Raja's Indian Cuisine 33 NE 2nd Ave., 305-539-9551 Despite its small size and decor best described as "none," this place is an institution thanks to south Indian specialties rarely found in Miami's basically north Indian restaurants The steam-tabled curries are fine (and nicely priced), but be sure to try the custom-made dosal (lacy rice crepes with a variety of savory fillings) and uttapam, thicker pancakes, layered with onions and chills, both served with sambar and chutney $$ The River Oyster Bar 650 S. Miami Ave., 305-530-1915 This casually cool jewel is a full-service seafood spot, as evidenced by tempting menu selections like soft-shell crabs with grilled vegetables, corn relish, and remoulade There are even a few dishes to please meat-and-potatoes diners, like short ribs with macaroni and cheese But oyster fans will find it difficult to resist stuffing themselves silly on the unusually large selection, especially since oysters are served both raw and cooked fire-roasted with sofrito butter, chorizo, and manchego There's also a thoughtful wine list and numerous artisan beers on tap $$$ Rosa Mexicano 900 S. Miami Ave., 786-425-1001 This expansive indoor/outdoor space offers a dining experi- ence that's haute in everything but price Few entrees top $20 The decor is both date-worthy and family-friendly festive but not kitschy And nonsophisticates needn't fear, though nachos aren't available, there is nothing scary about zarape de pato (roast duck between freshly made, soft corn tortillas, topped with yellow-and-habanero-pepper cream sauce), or Rosa's signature guacamole en molcajete, made tableside A few pomegranate margaritas ensure no worries $$$ Scalina 315 S. Biscayne Blvd., 305-789-9933 Comparisons between this new Tom Billante venture and the other (slightly pricier) Italian eatery in the same building are inevitable, especially considering similarities like key person- nel from NYC's II Mullno, Mullno-style abundant free appetiz- ers, and a power-dining crowd But why focus on competitive nonsense when you can relax on the river-view terrace enjoy- ing chef Enrico Giraldo's specialties, including an elaborate take on Venice's famed fegato (calfs liver and onions), upscaled with Lucanica sausage and a balsamic reduction Or maybe an even more evocative Roman ice cream tartufo? Manglal $$$$ Soi Asian Bistro 134 NE 2nd Ave., 305-523-3643 From the owners of Calle Ocho's hip Mr Yum and 2B Asian Bistro, Sol sports similar casual-chic ambiance and eclectic Thai/Japanese cuisine Traditional Thai curries and familiar sushi rolls are prepared with solid skill and style But most intriguing are new inventions adding Peruvian fusion flair to the Asian mix, such as a spicy, tangy tangle of crisp-fried yellow noodles with sauteed shrimp plus severed peppers and onions -- mod mee krob, with jalea-like tart heat replacing the cloying sweetness $$ Soya & Pomodoro 120 NE 1st St., 305-381-9511 Life is complicated Food should be simple That's owner Armando Alfano's philosophy, which is stated above the entry to his atmospheric downtown eatery And since it's also the formula for the truest traditional Italian food (Alfano hails from Pompeii), it's fitting that the menu is dominated by authentically straightforward yet sophisticated Italian entrees There are salads and sandwiches, too The most enjoyable place to dine is the secret, open-air courtyard Alfano serves dinner on Thursdays only to accompany local musicians and artists $-$$ Sparky's Roadside Restaurant & Bar 204 NE 1st St., 305-377-2877 This cowboy-cute eatery's chefs/owners (one CIA-trained, both BBQ fanatics nicknamed Sparky) eschew regional purism, instead utilizing a hickory/apple-wood-stoked rotisserie smoker to turn out their personalized style of slow-cooked, complexly dry-rub fusion ribs, chopped pork, brisket, and chicken Diners can customize their orders with mix-and-match housemade sauces sweet/tangy tomato-based, Carolinas-inspired vinegar/ mustard, pan-Asian holsin with lemongrass and ginger, tropical guava/habanero Authenticity aside, the quality of the food is as good as much higher-priced barbecue outfits $-$$ Sushi Maki 1000 S. Miami Ave., 305-415-9779 Fans of the popular parent Sushi Maki in the Gables will find many familiar favorites on this Brickell branch's menu But the must-haves are some inventive new dishes introduced to honor the eaters tenth anniversary- and Miami multicultur- alism "sushi tacos" (fried gyoza skins with fusion fillings like raw salmon, miso, chill-garlic sauce, and sour cream), three tasty flash-marinated Asian/Latin tiraditos, addictive rock shrimp tempura with creamy/spicy dip Also irresistible four festive new sake cocktails $$-$$$ SuViche 49 SW 11th St., 305-960-7097 This small Japanese-Peruvian place serves food influenced by each nation distinctly, plus intriguing fusion items with added Caribbean touches Cooked entrees, all Peruvian, include an elegant aji de gallina (walnut-garnished chicken and potatoes in peppery cream sauce) But the emphasis is on contemporary ceviches/tiraditos (those with velvety aji amarillo chill sauce particularly), plus huge exotic sushi rolls, which get pretty wild When was the last time you encountered a tempura-battered tuna, avocado, and scallion maki topped with Peru's traditional potato garnish, huancalna cheese sauce $$ Tobacco Road 626 S. Miami Ave., 305-374-1198 Prohibition-era speakeasy (reputedly a fave of Al Capone), gay bar, strip club Previously all these, this gritty spot has been best known since 1982 as a venue for live music, primarily blues But it also offers food from lunchtime to late night (on weekends till 4 00 a m ) The kitchen is especially known for its chill, budget-priced steaks, and burgers There's also surprisingly elegant fare, though, like a Norwegian salmon club with lemon aloli A meat-smoker in back turns out tasty ribs $$ Trapiche Room 1109 Brickell Ave., 305-329-3656 With multiple Marnott hotels in Brickell and downtown, one of them housing high-profile db Bistro, its not surprising that this small, second-floor restaurant is something of a "best kept secret" But it deserves discovery Chef Maria Tobar hasn't Daniel Boulud's fame, but she does have classic European-type techni- cal skills, combined with contemporary creativity that turns even ultimately old-fashioned items, like a pork/cabbage strudel, into 21st century fine-dining fare Both decor and service, similarly, are swelegant, not stuffy, and the room's intimacy makes it a roman- tic spot for special occasions $$$$ Tre Italian Bistro 270 E. Flagler St., 305-373-3303 "Bistro" actually sounds too Old World for this cool hangout, from the owners of downtown old-timer La Loggia, but "resto- lounge" sounds too glitzy Think of it as a neighborhood "bistro- lounge The food is mostly modernized Italian, with Latin and Asian accents a prosclutto-and-fig pizza with Brazilian catupiry cheese, gnocchi served either as finger food (fried, with cala- mata olive/truffle aloli), or plated with orange-ginger sauce But there are tomato-sauced meatballs with rigawt for Grandpa Vinnie, too $$-$$$ Truluck's Seafood, Steak, and Crabhouse 777 Brickell Ave., 305-579-0035 Compared to other restaurants with such an upscale power- lunch/dinner setting, most prices are quite affordable here, especially if you stick to the Miami Spice-priced date-dinner menu, or happy hour, when seafood items like crab-cake "sliders" are half price Most impressive, though, are seasonal stone crabs (from Truluck's own fisheries, and way less expen- sive than Joe's) and other seafood that, during several visits, never tasted less than impeccably fresh, plus that greatest of Miami restaurant rarities informed and gracious service $$$-$$$$ Tuyo 415 NE 2nd St., 305-237-3200 Atop the revolutionary Miami Culinary Institute, this upscale eatery, unlike the cafe downstairs, isn't student-run Rather its designed to showcase school ideals -- including sustain- ability as well as definitive Miami cuisine The changing menu, from a culinary Dream Team headed by "New World Cuisine" inventor/MCI instructor Norman Van Aken (plus former prote- ges Jeffrey Brana and Travis Starwalt), mixes citrus-inflected creamy conch chowder and other pioneering signatures with new inventions like mind-reelingly multidimensional oyster pan stew, or tartare of tuna and burstingly ripe tomato topped with a delicate sous vide egg $$$$$ Waxy O'Connor's 690 SW 1st Ct., 786871-7660 While the menu of this casually craic (Gaelic for "fun") Irish pub will be familiar to fans of the South Beach Waxy's, the location is far superior -- on the Miami River, with waterfront deck And none of Miami's Irish eateries offers as much authentic traditional fare Especially evocative imported oak-smoked Irish salmon with housemade brown bread, puff- pastry-wrapped Irish sausage rolls, lunchtime's imported Irish bacon or banger "butty" sandwiches on crusty baguettes, served with hand-cut fries, the latter particularly terrific dipped in Waxys curry sauce $$ Wok Town 119 SE 1st Ave., 305-371-9993 Judging from the takeout window, the minimalist decor (with communal seating), and predominance of American veggies on the menu, this Asian fast-food eatery, owned by Shal Ben-Ami (a Miss Yip and Domo Japones veteran) May initially seem akin to those airport Oriental steam tables Wrong Custom-cooked by Chinese chefs, starters (like soy/garlic-coated edamame), salads, and have-it-your-waystir-fries, fried rice, or noodle bowls burst with bold, fresh flavor The proof a startlingly savory miso beef salad, with sesame/ginger/scallion dressing Bubble tea, tool $$ Zuma 270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, 305-577-0277 This Miami River restolounge has a London parent on San Pellegrinos list of the world's best restaurants, and a similar menu of world-class, Izakaya-style smallish plates (robata- grilled items, sushi, much more) meant for sharing over drinks Suffice to say that it would take maybe a dozen visits 1035 N. Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33136 305- 961- 7887 www.TheCornerMiami.com facebook. com/the. corner. miami. ave I~I ..:. II, 2 Gae onSon ColegeBasetbll~ S IS I All Coleg Gam s it September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com C o r r Happy Hour 4- 8pm SAward Winning Cocktails * Scrumptious Sandwiches, Salads, Snacks, and Desserts 60+ Beers -Draft, International, Micro-Brew OPEN LATE September 2012 Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com T 11.4VL, Dining Guide: RESTAURANTS to work your way through the voluminous menu, which offers ample temptations for vegetarians as well as carnivores Our favorite is the melt-in-your-mouth pork belly with yuzu/ mustard miso dip, but even the exquisitely-garnished tofu rocks $$$$ Midtown / Wynwood / Design District 3 Chefs Chinese Restaurant 1800 Biscayne Blvd. #105, 305-373-2688 Until this eatery opened in late 2010, the solid Chinese restaurants in this neighborhood could be counted on the fingers of no hands So it's not surprising that most people concentrate on Chinese and Chinese/American fare The real surprise is the remarkably tasty, budget-priced, Vietnamese fare Try pho, 12 varieties of full-flavored beef/ rice noodle soup (including our favorite, with well-done flank steak and flash-cooked eye round) All can be custom- ized with sprouts and fresh herbs Also impressive Noodle combination plates with sauteed meats, salad, and spring rolls $$ Adelita's Caf6 2699 Biscayne Blvd., 305-576-1262 From the street (which is actually NE 26th, not Biscayne) this Honduran restaurant seems unpromising, but inside its bigger, better, and busier than it looks Unlike many Latin American eateries, this one sticks close to the source and proves a crowd-pleaser On weekends especially, the dining rooms are packed with families enjoying authentic fare like baleadas (thick corn tacos), tajadas (Hondurass take on tostones), rich meal-in-a-bowl soups packed with seafood or meat and veg- gles, and more $ Basani's 3221 NE 2nd Ave., 786-925-0911 Despite this tiny place's modern decor, the family-run ambi- ance and Italian-American comfort food evoke the neighbor- hood red-sauce joints that were our favored hangouts growing up in NJ's Sopranos territory And low prices make it possible to hang out here frequently Pizzas with hand-tossed crusts, not wood-oven but resembling honest bread, for less than fast food pizzeria prices' Its an offer you don't refuse Don't refuse garlic rolls, either, or sinful zeppole (fried dough) for dessert There's more complex fare, like chicken a la Francese, too And they deliver $$ Bengal 2010 Biscayne Blvd., 305-403-1976 At this Indian eatery the decor is cool and contemporary muted gray and earth-tone walls, tasteful burgundy ban- quettes And the menu touts "Modern Indian Cuisine" to match the look Classicists, however, needn't worry America's favorite familiar north Indian flavors are here, though dishes are gener- ally more mildly spiced and presented with modern flair All meats are certified halal, Islam's version of kosher which doesn't mean that observant orthodox Jews can eat here, but Muslims can $$$ Best Friends 4770 Biscayne Blvd., 786-439-3999 On a restaurant-starved stretch of Biscayne Boulevard, this spot serves the same sort of simple but satisfying Italian fare (antipasti, soups, salads, pizzas) as its older sibling, South Miami's Blu Pizzeria, plus burgers The thin-crust, pliable piz- zas, though lacking burn blisters, are brick-oven cooked, as are "blues," unusual calzones (like the blu oceano, fatly filled with mozzarella, prosciutto crudo, arugula, and fresh tomatoes) Hefty half-pound burgers come similarly stuffed rather than topped A sheltered patio and full bar make the place a pleas- ant neighborhood lounge, too $$ Bin No. 18 1800 Biscayne Blvd., 786-235-7575 At this wine bar/cafe, the decor is a stylish mix of contempo- rary (high loft ceilings) and Old World (tables made from wine barrels) Cuisine is similarly geared to the area's smart new residents creative sandwiches and salads at lunch, tapas and larger internationally themed Spanish, Italian, or French charcuterie platters at night Though the place is small and family-run friendly, chef Alfredo Patino offers sophisticated snacks like the figclutto arugula, gorgonzola dolce, caramel- ized onions, pine nuts, fresh figs, and prosciutto Free parking behind the building $$ Blue Piano 4600 NE 2nd Ave., 305-576-7919 The address suggests a street-corner location, but this casu- ally cool wine bar/bistro is actually hidden midblock It's well worth the hunt, thanks to the passionate, very personally hands-on involvement of its four owners, whose individual areas of expertise encompass food, wine, and live entertain- ment, melding all seamlessly The music is muted, encourag- ing conversation, wines are largely small-production gems, sold at comparatively low mark-ups And the small-plates menu features delectably different dishes like the McLuvvin', a meld of savory Spanish sausage and chicharrones, topped with a quail egg and chipotle cream -- supremely satisfying $$ Buena Vista Bistro 4582 NE 2nd Ave., 305-456-5909 If a neighborhood eatery like this one which serves supreme- ly satisfying bistro food were within walking distance of every Miami resident, we'd be a helluva hip food town Like true Parislan bistros, it's open continuously, every day, with prices so low that you can drop in anytime for authentic rlllettes (a rustic pate) with a crusty baguette, steak with from-scratch frites, salmon atop ratatouille, or many changing blackboard specials Portions are plentiful So is free parking $$ Buena Vista Deli 4590 NE 2nd Ave., 305-576-3945 At this casual cafe/bakery, co-owned by Buena Vista Bistro's Claude Postel, the day starts in authentic French fashion, with fresh breakfast breads, chocolate almond croissants, and other delights At lunch cornichon-garnished baguette sand- wiches (containing housemade pates, sinfully rich pork rllettes, superb salami, and other charcuterie classics) are irresistible, and a buttery-crusted, custardy quiche plus perfectly dressed salad costs little more than a fast-food combo meal As for Postel s homemade French sweets, if you grab the last Pars- Brest, a praline butter-cream-filled puff pastry, we may have to kill you $-$$ Cafeina 297 NW 23rd St., 305-438-0792 This elegantly comfortable multi-room indoor/outdoor venue is described as an "art gallery/lounge," and some do comejust for cocktails like the hefty cafe con leche martinis But don't over- look chef Guily Booth's 12-item menu of very tasty tapas The signature item is a trulyjumbo-lump crab cake with no discern- able binder At one South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Martha Stewart proclaimed it the best she'd ever had Our own prime pick melt-in-your-mouth ginger sea bass anticuchos, so buttery- rich we nearly passed out with pleasure $$ Catch Grill & Bar 1633 N. Bayshore Dr., 305-536-6414 A location within easy walking distance of the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, in the extensively renovated Marriott Biscayne Bay, makes this casual-chic eatery, whose specialty is local and sustainable seafood, a great option for pre-show bites Then again, enjoying lures like sweet-glazed crispy shrimp with friends on the outdoor, bayfront terrace is enter- tainment enough Its worth calling to ask if the daily catch is wreckfish, a sustainable local that tastes like a cross between grouper and sea bass Bonus With validation, valet parking is free $$$-$$$$ Cerviceria 100 Montaditos 3252 NE 1st Ave. #104, 305-921-4373 Student budget prices, indeed A first-grader's allowance would cover a meal at this first U S branch of a popular Spanish chain The 100 mini sandwiches (on crusty, olive oil-drizzled baguettes) vary from $1 to $2 50, depending not on ingredient quality but complexity A buck scores genuine Serrano ham, while top-ticket fillings add imported Iberico cheese, pulled pork, and tomato to the cured-ham slivers Other options revolve around pates, smoked salmon, shrimp, and similar elegant stuff There's cheap draft beer, too, plus nonsandwich snacks $$ City Hall the Restaurant 2004 Biscayne Blvd., 305-764-3130 After 30+ years spent guiding other owners' restaurants to success, Miami Spice program creator Steve Haas has opened his own expansive, two-floor place, on a stretch of Biscayne Boulevard that's suddenly looking fashionable The vibe is a mix of power-dining destination and comfle neighborhood hangout, and chef Tom Azar (ex-Emerl's) has designed a var- ied menu to match Highlights an astonishingly thin/crunchy- crusted pizza topped with duck confit, wild mushrooms, port wine syrup, and subtly truffled bechamel, crispy calamari (rings and legs) with light, lemony tomato emulsion, and tuna tartar that is refreshingly free of sesame oil Big portions and a full bar to boot $$-$$$$ The Cheese Course 3451 NE 1st Ave., 786-220-6681 Not so much a restaurant as an artisanal cheese shop with complimentary prepared foods, this place's self-service cafe component nevertheless became an instant hit Impeccable ingredients and inspired combinations make even the simplest salads and sandwiches unique -- like bacon and egg, elevated by hand-crafted cream cheese, roasted red peppers, avocado, and chipotle Mayo Cheese platters are exceptional, and customized for flavor preference from mild to bold, and accom- panied by appropriate fruits, veggies, nuts, olives, prepared spreads, and breads $$ Clive's Caf6 2818 N. Miami Ave., 305-576-0277 Some still come for the inexpensive, hearty American breakfasts and lunches that this homey hole-in-the-wall has served for more than 30 years Since about 1990, though, when owner Pearline Murray ("Ms Pearl" to regulars) and cook Gloria Chin began emphasizing their native Jamaican specialties, the intensely spiced grilled jerk chicken has been the main item here Other favorites savory rice and pigeon peas, eye-opening onion/ vinegar-flavored escovitch fish, sweet plantains, and cabbage that redefines the vegetable $ Crumb on Parchment 3930 NE 2nd Ave., 305-572-9444 Though located in a difficult spot (the Melin Building's central atrium, invisible from the street), Michelle Bernstein's bakery/ cafe packs em in, partly due to Bernstein's mom Martha, who makes irresistible old-school cakes German chocolate with walnuts, lemon curd with buttercream frosting, more Lunch fare includes inspired sandwiches like seared rare tuna with spicy Asian pickles and klmchi aloli And for morning people, the savory chicken sausage, melted cheddar, kale, and shallot sandwich on challah will convince you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day $-$$ The Daily Creative Food Co. 2001 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-4535 While the food formula of this contemporary cafe is familiar - sandwiches, salads, soups, breakfast food, and pastries, plus coffee and fruit drinks a creative concept differentiates the place Signature sandwiches are named after national and local newspapers, including Biscayne Times, giving diners something to chat about Sandwiches and salads can also be do-it-yourself projects, with an unusually wide choice of main ingredients, garnishes, breads, and condiments for the creatively minded $ El Bajareque 278 NW 36th St., 305-576-5170 Dozens of little Latin American eateries, all looking almost identically iffy, line 36th Street But this family-owned "bajareque" (shack) is one where you definitely want to stop for some of Miami's most tasty, and inexpensive, Puerto Rican home cooking, from mondongo (an allegedly hangover-curing soup) to mofongo, a plantain/chicharron mash with varied toppings plus garlicky mojo Housemade snacks are irresistible, too, and great take-out party fare pork-studded pasteles, similar to Cuban tamals but with a tuber rather than corn masa dough, or empanadas with savory shrimp stuffing $ Egg & Dart 4029 N. Miami Ave., 786-431-1022 While co-owners Costa Grillas (from Maria's, a Coral Gables staple) and Niko Theodorou (whose family members have sev- eral Greek islands restaurants) describe their cuisine as "rustic Greek," there is surprising sophistication in some dishes an especially delicate taramasalata (cod roe dip), precisely crisp- fried smelts (like a freshwater sardine), galactobourco, an often heavy and cloyingly vanilla-saturated dessert, here cus- tardy and enlivened by orange flavor Extensive lists of mezze (snacks) and creative cocktails make the expansive, invitingly decorated space ideal for large gatherings of friends who enjoy sharing $$$ Egyptian Pizza Kitchen Shops at Midtown Miami Buena Vista Avenue, 305-571-9050 Pizza, pita -- hey, they're both flatbreads So while many piz- zas do indeed, as this halal place's name suggests, have initially weird-seeming Middle Eastern toppings, its really not surprising that the Glza (topped with marinated lamb, feta, olives, peppers, and pungently spiced cumin sauce) works at least as well as Italian classics Additionally the menu includes interesting Middle Eastern fare like foul, a hummus-like but lighter Egyptian dish of favas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil A brick oven makes both pizzas and homemade pitas superior $$ 18th Street Cafe 210 NE 18th St., 305-381-8006 Most seating in this cool, pioneering neighborhood cafe is in a giant bay window, backed with banquettes, that makes the small space feel expansive -- fitting, since the menu keeps expanding, too Originally breakfast/lunch only, the cafe, though closed weekends, now serves dinner till 10 00 p m, with comfort food entrees like secret-recipe meatloaf joining old favorites daily-changing homemade soups, varied burgers, layered international salads, inspired sandwiches (like roast beef and provolone with creamy horseradish) Beer and wine is available, and now so is delivery $$ The Federal Food, Drink & Provisions 5132 Biscayne Blvd., 305-758-9559 At the Fed, expect what locals know to expect from sommelier/ chef team Anlece Melnhold and Cesar Zapata, whose previous restaurant concepts have included Blue Piano (gourmetstoner snacks) and Vietnamese pop-up Phuc Yea That is, expect the unexpected The Fed is an updated tavern featuring creative, from-scratch takes on traditional American regional dishes flakySouthern biscuits with sausage gravy (and crisp-coated sweetbreads, if desired), Northeastern-inspired "pig wings" (pork drummettes with homemade Buffalo sauce, blue cheese mousse, and pickled veggies) Desserts, from third partner Alejandro Ortiz, include sinful sticky buns $$-$$$ Five Guys Famous Burger and Fries Shops at Midtown Miami Buena Vista Ave., 305-571-8341 No green-leaf faux health food here You get what the name says, period, with three adds kosher dogs, veggie burgers, and free peanuts while you walt Which you will, just a bit, since burgers are made fresh upon order Available in double or one-patty sizes, they're well-done but spurtingly juicy, and after loading with your choice of free garnishes, even a "little" burger makes a major meal Fries (regular or Cajun-spiced) are also superior, hand-cut in-house from sourced potatoes $ Gigi 3470 N. Miami Ave., 305-573-1520 As befits its location in artful, working-class Wynwood, Gigl has minimalist modern diner ambiance paired with truly creative contemporary Asian-influenced comfort food from Top Chef contender Jeff Mclnnis (formerly of the South Beach Ritz- Carlton) at surprisingly low prices From a menu encompassing noodle and rice bowls, steam-bun ssams, grilled goodies, and raw items, highlights include pillowy-light roast pork-stuffed buns, and possibly the world's best BLT, featuring Asian bun "toast," thick pork belly slices rather than bacon, and house- made pickles There's $2 beer, too $-$$ Harry's Pizzeria 3918 N. Miami Ave., 786-275-4963 In this humble space (formerly Pizza Volante) are many key components from Michael's Genuine Food & Drink two blocks east -- local/sustainable produce and artisan products, wood- oven cooking, homemade everything (including the ketchup accompanying crisp-outside, custardy-inside polenta fries, a circa 1995 Michael Schwartz signature snack from Nemo) Beautifully blistered, ultra-thin-crusted pizzas range from clas- sic Margheritas to pies with house-smoked bacon, trugole (a subtly flavorful -- fruity, not funky -- Alpine cheese), and other unique toppings Rounding things out simple but ingenious salads, ultimate zeppoles, and Florida craft beers $$ Hurricane Grill & Wings Shops at Midtown Miami Buena Vista Avenue, 305-576-7133 This Florida fast/casual chain became an instant hit in Midtown Miami owing to a winning concept more than 35 heat-coded /VMA/I SPICE i Lve Miami Spie.ecom Three Course $ Fixed-Price Menu ^j3 THE GREAT S THE GREAT UST RDSH HISHANI Sm CnnbNr uneCusu, ,C q-1od & Steca Sunday Sept 16th & Monday -7th Four Course Dinner $32.95 CompLInntary glasm ofwine TradlitlonnI Casua Fine Diing One Block West of Biscay nr vd. C Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 Dining Guide: RESTAURANTS sauces and dry rubs meant for custom-tossing with wings and other things (including white-meat boneless wings," really wing- shaped chicken breast pieces), accompanied by ranch or classic blue-cheese dip and celery It would be silly to not pair your main with garlic/herb-butter parmesan fries There are many other items, too, including salads But hey, celery is salad, right? $$ Jean Paul's House 2426 NE 2nd Ave., 305-573-7373 Jean Paul Desmalson, original chef/co-owner of La Cofradia in Coral Gables, has chosen a decidedly less tony, more transitional neighborhood for this venture But inside his renovated bungalow, ambiance is stylishly cozy, and the creative contemporary North/South American fusion cuisine is as elegant as ever Best bets are dishes influenced by Desmalson's native Peru, including crispy pork belly braised in pisco with silky sweet potato puree, and a beautifully balanced nikkel (Japanese/Peruvian) salmon sashimi that does the impossible tame leche de tigre, Peru's infamous tiger's milk" marinade $$$-$$$$ Jimmy'z Kitchen 2700 N. Miami Ave. #5, 305-573-1505 No need to trek to South Beach for what many consider Miami's best classic Puerto Rican mofongo (fried green plan- tains mashed with fresh garlic, olive oil, and pork cracklings, surrounded by chicken or shrimp in zesty criollo sauce) This new location is bigger and better than the original, plus the mofongo is served every day, notjust on weekends But don't ignore the meal-size salads or high-quality sandwiches, includ- ing a pressed tripleta containing roast pork, bacon, Black Forest ham, provolone, and caramelized onions $$ Joey's Italian Caf6 2506 NW 2nd Ave., 305-438-0488 The first new restaurant in the Wynwood Cafe District, this styl- ish indoor/outdoor Italian hangout is as casually cool as one would hope and as affordable There's a five-buck half-serv- ing of spaghetti al pomodoro and respectable vino for under $30 And few can resist delicately thin, crunchy-crusted pizzas like the creative Dolce e Piccante or orgasmic Carbonara Pastas are fresh, produce is largely local, the mosaic-centered decor is minimalist but inviting And no need to be wary of the warehouse district at night Valet parking is free $$-$$$ La Latina 3509 NE 2nd Ave., 305-571-9655 At last, an authentic Venezuelan arepera (purveyor of home- made arepas, with a variety of meat, cheese, and veggie fillings) that isn't out in the boonies -- and decidedly isn't a dive With colorful decor concocted from recycled objects, this space, though small, has truly eclectic, Midtown style The signature corn cakes, crisped outside and fluffy inside, put sod- den supermarket specimens to shame And cachapas (softer, sweeter corn pancakes folded around mozzarella-like fresh cheese) or bollarepitas (cheese-stuffed deep-fried corn cakes, with tangy nata dip) may be even tastier $-$$ La Provence 2200 Biscayne Blvd., 305-576-8002 (See Brickell / Downtown listing) Latin Caf6 2000 2501 Biscayne Blvd., 305-576-3838 The menu is similar to that at many of our town's Latin cafes, largely classic Cuban entrees and sandwiches, with a smat- tering of touches from elsewhere in Latin America, such as a Peruvian jalea mixta (marinated mixed seafood), or paella Valenclana from Spain, which many Miami eateries consider a Latin country Whatjustifies the new millennium moniker is the more modern, yupplfled/yucafled ambiance, encouraged by an expansive, rustic wooden deck $$ Lemoni Caf6 4600 NE 2nd Ave., 305-571-5080 The menu here reads like your standard sandwiches/ salads/starters primer What it doesn't convey is the fresh- ness of the ingredients and the care that goes into their use Entree-size salads range from an elegant spinach (goat cheese, pears, walnuts, raisins) to chunky homemade chicken salad on a bed of mixed greens Sandwiches (cold baguette subs, hot pressed paninls, or wraps, all accom- panied by side salads) include a respectable Cuban and a veggie wrap with a deceptively rich-tasting light salad cream $-$$ Lime Fresh Mexican Grill Shops at Midtown Miami Buena Vista Avenue, 305-576-5463 Like its South Beach predecessor, this Lime was an instant hit, as much for being a hip new Midtown hangout as for its carefully crafted Tex-Mex food The concept is fast casual" rather than fast food meaning nice enough for a night out It also means ingredients are always fresh Seafood tacos are about as exotic as the menu gets, but the mahl mahl for fish tacos comes from a local supplier, and salsas are housemade daily Niceties include low-carb tortillas and many Mexican beers $ Lim6n y Sabor 3045 Biscayne Blvd., 786-431-5739 In this dramatically renovated space, the room is now light and open, and the food is authentic Peruvian, with seafood a specialty Portions are huge, prices low, quality high Especially good are their versions of pescado a lo macho (fish fillet topped with mixed seafood in a creamy, zesty sauce), jalea (breaded and deep-fried fish, mixed seafood, and yuca, topped with onion/pepper/lime salsa), and yuca in hot yet fruity rocoto chill cream sauce $$ Lost & Found Saloon 185 NW 36th St., 305-576-1008 There's an artsy/alternative feel to this casual and friendly Wynwood eatery, which, since opening as a weekday-only breakfast and lunch joint in 2005, has grown with its neigh- borhood It's now open for dinner six nights a week, serving Southwestern-style fare at rock-bottom prices Dishes like pinon and pepita-crusted salmon, chipotle-drizzled endive stuffed with lump crab, or customizable tacos average $5-$8 Also available big breakfasts and salads, hearty soups, house- made pastries like lemon-crusted wild berry pie, and a hip beer and wine list $ Mandolin Aegean Bistro 4312 NE 2nd Ave., 305-576-6066 Inside this converted 1940s home's blue-and-white dining room -- or even more atmospherically, its tree-sheltered garden -- diners feast on authentic rustic fare from both Greece and Turkey Make a meal of multinational mezes a Greek sampler of creamy tzatzlki yogurt dip, smoky eggplant puree, and airy tarama caviar spread, and a Turkish sampler of hummus, fava puree, and rich tomato-walnut dip The meze of mussels in lemony wine broth is, with Mandolin's fresh-baked flatbread, almost a full meal in itself $$-$$$ Mercadito Midtown 3252 NE 1st Ave., 786-369-0423 Some people frequent this fashionable restolounge, festooned with graffiti-style murals designed to evoke a bustling Mexican street market, just for the dangerously smooth margaritas But the main must-haves here are tacos, encased in a rarity genu- inely made-from-scratch corn tortillas, small but fatly-stuffed Of 11 varieties, our favorite is the carnitas (Juicy braised pork, spicy chill de arbol slaw, toasted peanuts) A close second the hongos, intensely flavorful hultlacoche and wild mushrooms, with manchego and salsa verde -- a reminder that vegetarian food need not be bland $$-$$$ Michael's Genuine Food and Drink 130 NE 40th St., 305-573-5550 An instant smash hit, this truly neighborhood-oriented res- taurant from chef Michael Schwartz offers down-to-earth fun food in a comfortable, casuallystylish indoor/outdoor setting Fresh, organic ingredients are emphasized, but dishes range from cutting-edge (crispy beef cheeks with whipped celeriac, celery salad, and chocolate reduction) to simple comfort food deviled eggs, homemade potato chips with pan-fried onion dip, or a whole wood-roasted chicken There's also a broad range of prices and portion sizes to encourage frequent visits Michael's Genuine also features an eclectic, affordable wine list and a full bar $$-$$$$ Ming Yuan 3006 NW 2nd Ave., 305-576-6466 What this tiny (three booths plus counter seats) Wynwood place serves isn't authentic Chinese cuisine Its Chinese immigrant cooking America's original Cantonese-based chop sueys and egg foo young plus later, spicier but also Americanized Szechuan/Hunan-inspired 1970s inventions like Mongolian beef and General Tso's this-or-that But all the above (ordered extra-spicy if you like heat), plus crab rangoons and treat-packed special fried rice, are truly tasty And since almost everything on the menu comes in several sizes, with even small" being substantial, prices are unbeat- able $-$$ Mike's at Venetia 555 NE 15th St., 9th floor, 305-374-5731 This family-owned Irish pub, on the pool deck of the Venetia condo, for more than 15 years has been a popular lunch and dinner hang-out for local journalists and others who appreciate honest cheap eats and drinks Regulars know daily specials are the way to go Depending on the day, fish, churrasco, or roast turkey with all the trimmings are all prepared fresh Big burgers and steak dinners are always good A limited late-night menu provides pizza, wings, ribs, and salad till 3 00 a m $-$$ Morgans Restaurant 28 NE 29th St., 305-573-9678 Housed in a beautifully refurbished 1930s private home, Morgans serves eclectic, sometimes internationally influenced contemporary American cuisine compelling enough to attract hordes Dishes are basically comfort food, but ultimate comfort food the most custardy, fluffy French toast imaginable, shoe- string frites that rival Belgium's best, mouthwatering maple- basted bacon, miraculously terrific tofu (crisply panko-crusted and apricot/soy-glazed), even a voluptuous grilled cheese sandwich -- definitely a don't ask, don't tell your cardiologist" item $$-$$$ NoVe Kitchen & Bar 1750 N. Bayshore Dr., 305-503-1000 At NoVe, the restolounge at the Opera Tower condo in NoVe (new nickname for the bayfront neighborhood north of the Venetian Causeway), the food is East-West Meaning you can get burgers, pasta, and so on, or try the inventive Asian small plates and sushi specialties Hiro Terada originated at his past posts, Doraku and Moshl Moshl the Atlantis roll (tempura conch with asparagus, avocado, scallions, and curry sauce), spicy, crunchy fried tofu atop klmchi salad, much more Open 6 00 a m for breakfast to 3 00 a m, it is kid-friendly and dog-friendly, too $$-$$$ Orange Caf6 + Art 2 NE 40th St., 305-571-4070 The paintings hanging in this tiny, glass-enclosed cafe are for sale And for those who don't have thousands of dollars to shell out for the local art on the walls, less than ten bucks will get you art on a plate, including a Picasso chorizo, pro- sclutto, manchego cheese, baby spinach, and basil on a crusty baguette Other artfully named and crafted edibles include salads, daily soups, several pastas (like the Matisse, fiocchi pouches filled with pears and cheese), and house-baked pastries $ Pasha's 3801 N. Miami Ave., 305-573-0201 (See Brickell/Downtown listing) Pieducks 3500 N. Miami Ave., 305-576-5550 (See Brickell / Downtown listing) Primo's 1717 N. Bayshore Dr., 305-371-9055 The Imposing, cavernous lobby of the Grand doesn't have that do drop in" locals hangout vibe But this lively Italian spot is actually a great addition to the neighborhood The pizzas alone - brick-oven specimens with toppings ranging from classic pepper- oni to prosclutto/arugula would be draw enough But pastas also please diners' choice of starch, with mix-and-match sauces and extras And the price is right, with few entrees topping $20 The capper Its open past midnight every day but Sunday $$ Primo Pizza Miami 3451 NE 1st Ave., 305-535-2555 Just a few years ago, chain pizza joints were dominant most everywhere Today many places now offer authentic Italian or delicate designer pizzas But a satisfying Brookyn-style street slice? Fuhgedit Thankfully that's the speciality of this indoor/ outdoor pizzeria big slices with chewy crusts (made from imported NY tap water) that aren't ultra-thin and crisp, but flexible enough to fold lengthwise, and medium-thick -- sturdy enough to support toppings applied with generous all-American abandon Take-out warning Picking up a whole pie9 Better bring the SUV, not the Morris Mini Sakaya Kitchen Shops at Midtown Miami, Buena Vista Avenue 305-576-8096 This chef-driven, fast-casual Asian eatery is more an izakaya (in Japan, a pub with food) than a sakaya (sake shop) But why quibble about words with so many more intriguing things to wrap your mouth around? The concept takes on street-food favorites from all over Asia, housemade daily from quality fresh ingredients French Culinary Institute-trained Richard Hales does change his menu, so we'd advise immediately grabbing some crispy Korean chicken wings and Chinese-inspired, open-faced roast pork buns with sweet chili sauce and homemade pickles $$ Sake Room 275 NE 18th St., 305-755-0122 Sake takes a back seat to sushi and sophisticated decor at this small but sleek restolounge Among the seafood offerings, you won'tfind exotica or local catches, but all the usual sushi/sashimi favorites, though in more interesting form, thanks to sauces that go beyond standard soy spicy srracha, garlic/ponzu oil, and many more Especially recommended the yuzu hamachi roll, the lobster tempura makl, and panko-coated spicy shrimp with hot- and-sour Mayo and a salad $$-$$$ Salad Creations 2001 Biscayne Blvd., 305-576-5333 At this fast-casual restaurant, diners can enjoy a wide variety ofchef-created salads and wraps, or go the DIY route, choosing from one of four greens options, four dozen add-ons (fresh, dried, or pickled veggies and fruits, plus cheeses and slightly sinful pleasures like candied pecans or wonton strips), a protein (seafood or poultry), and two dozen dressings, ranging from classic (Thousand Island, bleu cheese) to creative contemporary (spicy Asian peanut, cucumber wasabi, blueberry pomegranate) Additionally, the place creates lovely catering platters, plus indi- vidual lunchboxes -- perfect picnic or plane food $-$$ Salumeria 104 3451 NE 1st Ave. #104, 305-424-9588 In Italy, salumerlas started, like American delicatessens, as shops selling saluml (cured meats), but evolved into the equiv- alent of eat-in deli/restaurants that also serve cold and hot prepared foods At this modern Midtown salumerla, the soups- to-salads-to-sweets range of fare is the same Custom-sliced imported cold cuts are a main focus, especially for those who enjoy taste-testing a plate pairing Italy's two most famous pro- sciuttos Parma and San Daniele But homemade pastas are also impressive, as are hard-to-find regional entrees like fegato alla Venezlana, which will turn liver-haters into lovers $$-$$$ Salsa Fiesta 2929 Biscayne Blvd., 305-400-8245 The first stateside offshoot of a popular Venezuelan mini chain, this urban Mexican grill" serves health-conscious, made-fresh-daily fare similar in concept to some fast-casual *GRILL BOUTIQUE' GraMs Fed Bef Ogai Chicken a L Inb&PS P Wk Poussin Duck Turkey Orgaic Sausages QA Free Eggs ChiricOliv s h Olive Ois & Sea Salts Aws 'invwrm Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 r I MILAN I ROME I VENICE I SICILY 1 Large Pizza I 1 Large Pizza 1 Large Pizza I1 Large Pizza with I with iwith up to 3 Toppings with 2 FREE 1 Topping+Cheese or I 2 Toppings +2 Liter Soda iToppings+6 Wings I Meat Lasagna EXTRATOPPI H *TTOPPINGS $2EACH & 2 Liter Soda +2 Liter Soda I RTOPPIN-SEACH I T W aTOA TOPPINGS EACHH S $12.99 I $15.99 I $18C00 I 9.I I DEUVERY&TAKEOUTONLY DEUVERY&TW EOUTONLY D JVR KEO ONY DEt VERY TAIE O ONLY NOT VALID WITHANY OTHER OThERO NOTVID WITHANY OH OFFER &....: NTVLI WITHANYOTHEROFFER L EXPIRES930/12 EXPIRESS93/12 . ; 1 N EVXPIRESTHAY OTHER L EX" I EpRsnazI PIRSMM2_ _J1 * Tataki Thai Curry * Naruto Dining Guide: RESTAURANTS competitors But there are indeed differences here, notably pan-Latin options black beans as well as red, thin, delight- fully crunchy tostones (available as a side or as the base for a uniquely tasty take on normal nachos) Other pluses include weekday happy hours with two-for-one beers -- and free parking $-$$ S & S Diner 1757 NE 2nd Ave., 305-373-4291 Some things never change, or so it seems at this classic diner Open since 1938, people still line up on Saturday mornings, waiting for a seat at the counter and enormous breakfasts corned beef hash or crab cakes and eggs with grits, fluffy pancakes, homemade biscuits with gravy and Georgia sausage - everything from oatmeal to eggs Benedict The lunch menu is a roll call of the usual suspects, but most regulars ignore the menu and go for the daily blackboard specials $-$$ Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill 3250 NE 1st Ave.,786-369-0353 This chic indoor/outdoor space is an offspring of Lincoln Road's SushiSamba Dromo and a sibling of Sugarcane lounges in NYC and Las Vegas, but more informal than the former and more food-oriented than the latter, as three kitchens -- normal, raw bar, and robata charcoal grill -- make clear Chef Timon Balloo's LatAsian small plates range from subtle orange/fennel-marinat- ed salmon crudo to intensely smoky-rich short ribs At the daily happy hour, select dishes (like steamed pork buns with apple klmchl) are discounted $$-$$$ Tapas y Tintos 3535 NE 2nd Ave., 305-392-0506 With about 50 different generously sized traditional tapas plates, from simple (imported Spanish cheeses and cured meats, varied croquetas, including beautifully smooth spinach) to sophisticated (crisp-fried soft-shell crab with aloll dip, the witty Popeye y Olivia, garlicky wine-sauced chickpeas with spin- ach and olive oil) plus complex salads, paellas, and charbroiled meat and seafood entrees, all add up to entertaining eating even without this tapas/wine bar's live entertainment This second T&T feels less nightclub and more neighborhood than the South Beach original Great for dates, business lunches, or very happy hours $$$ Tony Chan's Water Club 1717 N. Bayshore Dr., 305-374-8888 The decor at this upscale place, located in the Grand, looks too glitzy to serve anything but politely Americanized Chinese food But the American dumbing-down is minimal Many dishes are far more authentic and skillfully prepared than those found elsewhere in Miami, like delicate but flavorful yu pan quail Moist sea bass fillet has a beautifully balanced topping of scal- lion, ginger, cilantro, and subtly sweet/salty sauce And Peking duck is served as three traditional courses crepe-wrapped crispy skin, meat sauteed with crisp veggies, savory soup to finish $$-$$$ Vintage Liquor & Wine Bar 3301 NE 1st Ave. #105, 305-514-0307 Gentrlfled ambiance, a remarkably knowledgeable staff, and a hip stock (including global beers as well as liquor and wine, plus gourmet packaged foods to accompany), and self-service wine dispensers for sampling make this an enjoyable retail shop A wine/cocktall/tapas bar, open from 4 00 p m daily, makes it an enjoyable neighborhood hangout, too Tapas include beef carpaccio, bruschetta cones, varied salads and empanadas, a daily ceviche, and fresh-made sandwiches And remember to ask about special events karaoke Thursdays, monthly wine dinners, tasting, more $-$$ Wine Vault Miami Shops at Midtown Miami Fountain Circle #105, 786-691-2000 From a Wine Vault press release Over 1300 square feet of pure decadence" In fact, the soaring, two-story space, com- plete with glass elevator, has a look that lives up to the hype But the most decadent thing inside is a nibble from its tapas list chocolate-covered bacon Go ahead and make a meal of it We grown-ups can eat what we want More substantial plates to accompany the roughly four dozen wines, artisan beers, or cocktails include chorizo with new potatoes, and sweetly piquant plquillo peppers stuffed with shredded tuna Happy-hour wine prices are so low we'd better not mention them $$-$$$ Wynwood Kitchen & Bar 2550 NW 2nd Ave., 305-722-8959 The exterior is eye-popping enough, with murals from world-famous outdoor artists, but it's the interior that grabs you Colorful and exotic work by Shepard Fairey, Christian Awe, and other acclaimed artists makes it one of the most striking restaurant spaces anywhere As for food, the original menu has been replaced with Spanish/Latin/ Mediterranean-inspired favorites from chef Miguel Agullar (formerly of Alma de Cuba) gazpacho or black bean soups, shredded chicken ropa vieja empanadas with cilantro crema, grilled octopus skewers with tapenade, plus finger- ling potato-chorizo hash and other seasonal farm-to-table veg dishes $$-$$$ Upper Eastside Andiamo 5600 Biscayne Blvd. 305-762-5751 With brick-oven pizzerias popping up all over town the past few years, its difficult to remember the dark days when this part of Mark Soyka's 55th Street Station complex was mainland Miami's sole source of open-flame-cooked pies But the pizzas still hold up against the newble pack, especially since exec chef Frank Crupl has upped the ante with unique-to-Miami offerings like a white (tomato-free) New Haven clam pie Also available salads, panini, and a tasty meatball appetizer with ricotta There's a respectable wine and beer list, too $$ Balans Biscayne 6789 Biscayne Blvd., 305-534-9191 It took longer than expected, but this Brit import's third Miami venue finally opened, and rather quietly -- which has an upside It's easier to get a table here (and to park, thanks to the free lot on 68th Street) than at Lincoln Road or Brickell This, along with the venue's relatively large, open-to-the-street outdoor area, contributes to a more relaxed, neighborhood- focused vibe The fun menu of global comfort food is the same (ranging from a creamy-centered cheese souffle through savory Asian potstickers and, at breakfast, fluffy pecan/maple-garnished pancakes) and prepared as reliably well $$-$$$ Blue Collar 6730 Biscayne Blvd., 305-756-0366 Like its predecessor in this space (Michael Bloise's American Noodle Bar), this working-class-themed eatery is helmed by a former fine-dining chef, Daniel Serfer, a Chef Allen's vet who now crafts casual, creative fare at prices all can afford Dishes are eclectic The roughly dozen veggie dishes alone range from curried cauliflower puree to maduros to bleu cheese roasted asparagus Shrimp and grits compete with any in Charleston, pork and beans, topped with a per- fectly runny fried egg, beats Boston's best $-$$ Boteco 916 NE 79th St., 305-757-7735 This strip of 79th Street is rapidly becoming a cool alt- culture enclave thanks to inviting hangouts like this rustic indoor/outdoor Brazilian restaurant and bar Especially bustling on nights featuring live music, its even more fun on Sunday, when the fenced backyard hosts an informal fair and the menu includes Brazil's national dish, fejoada, a savory stew of beans plus fresh and cured meats But the everyday menu, ranging from unique, tapas-like pastels to hefty Brazilian entrees, is also appealing and budget- priced $$ Chef Creole 200 NW 54th St., 305-754-2223 Sparkling fresh Creole-style food is the star at chef/owner Wilkinson Sejour's two tiny but popular establishments While some meatier Haitian classics like grlot (fried pork chunks) and oxtail stew are also available and a $3 99 roast chicken special seafood is the specialty here crevette en sauce (steamed shrimp with Creole butter sauce), lambi frl (perfectly tenderized fried conch), poisson gros sel (local snapper in a spicy butter sauce), garlic or Creole crabs The Miami branch has outdoor tlkl-hut dining $-$$ DeVita's 7251 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-8282 This Italian/Argentine pizzeria, housed in a charming bun- galow and featuring a breezy patio, covers multicultural bases If the Old World Rucola pizza (a classic Margherita topped with arugula, prosciutto, and shredded parmesan) doesn't do the trick, the New World Especial (a Latin pie with hearts of palm and boiled eggs)just might Also available are pastas, salads, sandwiches, dinner entrees (eggplant parmigiana with spaghetti, lomito steak with Argentinean potato salad), and desserts (tiramisu or flan) $ Dogma Grill 7030 Biscayne Blvd. 305-759-3433 Since Frankle and Priscilla Crupl took over this hot dog stand, the menu has changed significantly, with some items eliminated (any vegetarian hot dogs, salads, chichi toppings like avocado) But choices have expanded to include new dog choices (brats, Italian sausage, more) plus burgers and other classic eastern U S regional urban street foods New England lobster rolls, New Orleans po'boys, Jersey shore cheese Taylors (pork roll), Baltimore crab cake sandwiches, and naturally, Phillys of all sorts -- cheese steak and beyond $-$$ East Side Pizza 731 NE 79th St., 305-758-5351 Minestrone, sure But a pizzeria menu with carrot ginger soup? Similarly many Italian-American pizzerias offer entrees like spa- ghetti and meatballs, but East Side also has pumpkin ravioli in brown butter/sage sauce, wild mushroom ravioli, and other surprisingly upscale choices, including imported Peroni beer As for the pizza, they are classic pies, available whole or by the slice, made with fresh plum tomato sauce and Grande mozza- rella (considered the top American pizza cheese) Best seating for eating is at the sheltered outdoor picnic tables $ Garden of Eatin' 136 NW 62nd St., 305-754-8050 Housed in a yellow building that's nearly invisible from the street, the Garden has the comfortable feel of a beach bar, and generous servings of inexpensive Afro-Caribbean vegan food Large or small plates, with salad and fried sweet plan- tains (plus free soup for eat-in lunchers), are served for five or seven bucks Also available are snacks like vegetarian blue corn tacos, desserts like sweet potato pie, and a breakfast menu featuring organic blueberry waffles with soy sausage patties $ Go To Sushi 5140 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-0914 This friendly, family-run Japanese fast-food eatery offers original surprises like the Caribbean roll (a festively green parsley-coated maki stuffed with crispy fried shrimp, avocado, sweet plantain, and spicy Mayo), or a wonderfully healthful sesame-seasoned chicken soup with spinach, rice noodles, and sizable slices of poultry Health ensured, you can the enjoy a guiltless pig-out on Fireballs fried dumplings of chicken, cab- bage, and egg, crusted with quills -- really a delectable crunchy noodle mix $ Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 "Meticulously crafted for your dining enjoyment" T 30.93164101 ww.Kamai~vntur:co Biscayne Times www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2012 |