Lost and Found: Mike Barra

I’ve gotten a few messages recently from people trying to track down musicians, friends, etc from the South Florida music scene. Hence, a new public service of this blog … If you’re looking for a person, copies of an old rare local album, whatever, send me all the info and…

Letters from the Issue of June 14, 2007

Shoot Straight Politics screws up your aim: Regarding “Target Identified” (June 7) by Francisco Alvarado: As a soon-to-be ex-employee of Miami-Dade Parks, I can testify that this is business as usual here. We have many parks that commissioners hold on to like jewels so they can use them at re-election…

Corbett’s Sports Bar

Save the gimmicks and theme venues for beach-bound trendoids; Corbett’s Sports Bar (12721 S Dixie Hwy, Pinecrest; 305-238-0823) is a little watering hole with a no-nonsense approach to drinking. Trophies, funny signs, and photos of football players are as kitschy as the décor gets, and drinks are always reasonably priced…

Letters from the Issue of June 7, 2007

Art Attack Bobb is guilty: Regarding “Artist as Prisoner” (May 31) by Rob Jordan: You can’t be serious. Ed Bobb should be a free man because of freedom of expression? Has it occurred to you that the cretin who took the pictures was expressing his desire to fuck little girls?…

Gryphon

There’s no better time for an exodus from Miami than Memorial Day weekend. On the Friday night leading off that three-day sinfest, Seminole Hard Rock Casino maintained the easygoing atmosphere that our neighbors to the north are known for. Crowds of partygoers deluged the entertainment complex, but the drama was…

Oasis Lounge

Standard suburban extras unwittingly nailed their roles one recent Friday night at a West Kendall strip mall. Teens sporting thick chains and black tank tops loitered around an IHOP. The clerk of a patronless liquor store smoked a cigarette outside and watched burger mongers line up at the McDonald’s across…

Letters from the Issue of May 24, 2007

How Vegetarians Fare Not well: Regarding “Chew the Right Thing” (May 10) by Lee Klein: Thank you for your recent attention to vegetarian fare in South Beach. I was a little bummed your review of Michael’s didn’t mention what options they have for vegetarians. I went there for drinks and…

GameWorks

Most people would agree that drinking and driving is a bad idea, and that guzzling a Budweiser before racing in the Daytona 500 amounts to a death wish. But there is a place where such rules of the road dont matter, and being inebriated just makes it that much more…

Letters from the Issue of May 17, 2007

Camilo’s a Coward Ask those who served: Regarding “Camilo’s Retreat” by Francisco Alvarado (May 3): I served with Camilo Mejía and he had no problem being a soldier and training for war when he was collecting educational benefits. He was asked three times before leaving for overseas whether or not…

Midnight Glimpse: Churchill’s Pub

Churchill’s Pub (5501 NE 2nd Ave, Miami; 305-757-1807) is an oasis for punks in Miami’s lacking rock scene. It may seem ironic to find a British dive in Little Haiti, but with regulars who romanticize poverty and shun capitalism, its actually the ideal location for aspiring anarchists — complete with…

Letters from the Issue of May 10, 2007

He’s No Hero Give him his just desserts: I just read your article on the deserter (“Is He a Coward or a Hero?” by Frank Alvarado, May 3) … what a pussy that guy is. I mean seriously, who joins the army and doesn’t know there is a possibility of…

Midnight Glimpse: Books & Books

How many martinis and half-forgotten hookups must we indulge before tiring of debauchery? The road of excess can be exciting, but for some of us, clubland adventures often turn into reruns of a boring soap opera. And it is right about this time, according to William Blake, that you find…

Letters from the Issue of May 3, 2007

Back Yard Baghdad Steering clear of Opa-locka: I gotta say dude, I loved your story (“Baghdad West” by Calvin Godfrey, April 26). Everything about it was so on point. I’d love it if your next story was about the city officials who just show up to collect government checks and…

Midnight Glimpse: Super Wheels

Revelry can turn up in the unlikeliest of places. The streets around the rundown Crystal Plaza may be quiet, but in a dark room inside the shopping center, flashing lights and booming bass assail the senses. People dance. They elbow each other. Strangely no fights break out. That is probably…

Letters from the Issue of April 26, 2007

A Hero Among Chickens Give that bird a hand: Thanks for running the article on Mr. Clucky (Riptide, “Chicken to Ride,” April 12), South Beach’s luckiest resident. Most of Mr. Clucky’s kind are either ground up alive at birth, incarcerated in battery cages that allow each bird less space than…

Midnight Glimpse: Casa Casuarina

Every day people stroll past Casa Casuarina (1116 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach; 305-672-6604), the former home of slain designer Gianni Versace, and wonder what lies beyond the iron gates and white facade of what is now an exclusive club, spa, and hotel. On a recent weekend night, a hoard of…

Letters from the Issue of April 19, 2007

He’s No Engelbert Jonesing for a fix: I was absolutely in awe of the article on Tom Jones by Greg Baker, “The Devil in Mr. Jones” (April 12). Some of it is correct, but to say that he is “Engelbert Humperdinck with talent” is sickening and totally wrong. I have…

Midnight Glimpse: Nocturnal

“What the hell is that?” asked Nadia Mir, looking at her younger, drunker sister with amused disgust. “Coochie popping,” replied Noreen Mir, as her gay male friend danced with his face in her lap and his bottom in the air. This was the scene on a recent Friday night at…

Letters from the Issue of April 12, 2007

‘Tude and Fro Put away the race card: Regarding Emily Witt’s “Frotesters” (April 5): This is not a racial issue as Barney suggests. Maybe readers should go to each affected employee’s personnel file and see the photo attached from their date of hire. Barney is a liar! They were not…

Midnight Glimpse: Area 61

Every Thursday, in a hidden corner of Aventura, freaky fans of poetry venture to Area 61 (504 NE 190th St, Aventura; 305-652-6480), a converted warehouse decked out as a venue and studio with couches, a stage, a small bar, surround sound, and air conditioning. On a recent Thursday, sharply dressed…

Letters from the Issue of April 5, 2007

Taking the Bait A reader on the hook: Regarding “Catch of the Year” (March 22) by Lee Klein: Damn, Lee, you did it to me again. I now have to go to that place! By the way, you don’t like The Rusty Pelican? Glenn Suarez South Miami Solid Gold Whitney’s…

Midnight Glimpse: Amadeus Bar

Tuesday is no longer the most boring day of the week at Amadeus Bar, in the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove (3300 SW 27th Ave, Coconut Grove; 305-644-4680). Starting at 9:00 p.m. Monica Llobet gives dance lessons ($10 for an hour), then hosts a milonga (tango party) till the wee hours. The…