Some Folks Will Surely Get Fat From $14.7 Million Grant to Fight Obesity

It was reported earlier this week that Miami-Dade County will be receiving $14.7 million from the federal government, the money earmarked for fighting obesity. It is part of a  $370 million Obama administration program called “Communities Putting Prevention to Work.” Miami-Dade is one of 44 counties, cities, tribes, and other…

Thursday Deals at Acqualina and Essensia; Outback Out, The Spot Removed

$29 Dinner at EssensiaOn Thursday nights, Essensia Restaurant now features a special two-course dinner for $29. Executive chef Frank Jeannetti has been winning praise for his clean, innovative cooking style. Guests can choose between appetizer selections such as Ahi tuna two ways, pan-roasted seafood cake, and watermelon/feta cheese salad. Entree…

Centerplate Vendors Throw Knockdown Pitch At Marlins Fans

So I was thrilled to receive word that Centerplate, a leading hospitality vendor for sports stadiums, convention centers and entertainment venues, “has announced several new partnerships, menu items and other ‘game-changers’ for the home fields of the Tampa Bay Rays, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners and Florida Marlins.” It went…

iPad vs. Kindle: You Need Both

This week’s Newsweek — which should probably be titled “Suck-up-week” — includes a front page pic of the iPad and a back page ad for the Amazon Kindle. The main article is a generally positive piece about the iPad and the geeks who love it…

Miami City Commission Should Expand African Square Park

This past September 16, Miami’s planning advisory board recommended the city expand African Square Park on NW 14th Avenue and 61st Street. The board recognized the need for more public green space in one of Miami’s poorest neighborhoods, but the city commission apparently didn’t get the hint.View Larger MapThree months…

Fight Doctor Ferdie Pacheco Pays Homage to 5th Street Gym

If you grew up in Miami Beach prior to 1993, the floor above the neighborhood drug store on Fifth Street at Washington Avenue was a magical place.For more than a quarter-century, aspiring boxers climbed two flights of creaky stairs to a cavernous, broiling-hot room to train, hoping they would emerge…

Jersey Shore Cast Arrives in South Beach — With Angelina in Tow

Yesterday we noted the pop-culture luminaries of the Jersey Shore have arrived in South Beach and are staying at the Catalina Hotel (until their full-time pad is ready, we hear), but TMZ reports there was a bit of surprise. Angelina “Jolie” Pivarnic, who lasted only three episodes during the first season,…

Moving Units: Radio-Active Records’ Top 5 Releases for March 30-April 5

In our Moving Units column, Mike Ramirez at Fort Lauderdale’s Radio-Active Records  graciously keeps us up-to-date and comments on the current releases flying out of his store each week.Two was the magic number last week, and things have only changed moderately since then with Norwegian shoegaze specialists Serena Maneesh and…

Legalizing Pot Will Fix the Economy

Uncle Luke, the man whose booty-shaking madness once made the U.S. Supreme Court stand up for free speech, gets as nasty as he wants to be for Miami New Times. Up this week, Luke makes the case for legalizing marijuana across the nation, beginning in Miami-Dade County.Off the bat, I…

Paul McCartney Concert Videos on YouTube

Countless videos of the Paul McCartney show went up on YouTube almost immediately after the concert. Most of the best come from user dsmpaul, who seems to have been sitting somewhere in the first few rows, and who seems to have uploaded damn near the entire concert in song-by-song clips. Here’s…

Crock of Gibraltar

While perusing Paula’s roundup on Easter specials yesterday morning, I couldn’t help but notice the pricing strategies pursued by the various restaurants. For instance, at Essencia you can enjoy organic selections cooked up by one of Miami’s really talented veteran chefs, Frank Jeanetti — plus  a prosecco or mimosa –…

This Week’s Broward-Palm Beach Music Section: TopSpot USA Showcase

The Broward-Palm Beach Crossfade contingent is definitely the opposite of emo about our feature, “TopSpot USA Showcase Punks Up the Talent Farm” in this week’s music section.We caught up with TopSpot USA founders Sean Russell and Frankie “Famous” Nobile preparing for their first industry showcase at the Talent Farm this…