BRRRRR it’s cold outside

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I thought I was just wimping out again. It is so cold in my apartment that I had to close the windows and put on a pair of socks.

Socks, people, socks.

That’s how cold it is in Miami today. After near-record highs yesterday a cold front moved through this morning that will leave us with chilly weather for the next couple of days.

You know, from time to time I enjoy the cool days. Change is always refreshing. But this particular change is coming at a very bad time. Today is the first day of the eagerly anticipated Winter Party Festival. That wonderful time of the year when thousands of toned and tanned half-nekkid boys descend on South Beach for 6 days of sun, music, sun, art, sun, fashion, sun, comedy, sun, and much more.

But this year, ironically, it will be cold for the Winter Party.

A big selling point of this festival, for me at least, is the ‘half-nekkid’ part but with this cold weather the boys will probably heed the sage advice of Channel 7’s Brent Cameron to “Cover yourself up.”

Damn you, Channel 7. Damn you to hell.

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Venetian Causeway Clean-up

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The Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach organizes many “clean ups” throughout the year to clean up our beaches and waterways. Today it is the Venetian Causeway’s turn to get a fresh face.

If you are able to help, please meet at 8:30 a.m. on the grassy area off the Venetian Way between Rivo Alto and Dilido Island Islands to check in with the organizers.

The clean up runs from 9:00am – 12:00 noon.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Full details available at http://www.ecomb.org/event.htm

Thank you for keeping South Florida beautiful.

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Paradise Renewed: Reopening of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

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Paradise Renewed: Family Fest Day at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

Come celebrate the grand reopening of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park on Saturday, Feb 23 from 1-9pm.

Known as “Colored Beach”, Virginia Key was dedicated on August 1, 1945 as the only public beach in Miami-Dade Country legally available to blacks during the time of segregation.

After desegregation in the 60’s the beach conditions were allowed to decline and the city eventually closed it in 19822.

A group of preservationists fought for Virginia Key’s restoration, and now, after many hard years the beach is again open to the public.

There will be a children’s amusement area, classic car show, train ride, live entertainment and food and drinks.

Free Admission.
Free Parking.

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
4020 Virginia Beach Drive
Miami, FL 33149
Phone: 305-9604600
http://www.virginiakeybeachpark.net

Driving Directions:
• From North: Take I-95 South to exit 1a Rickenbacker Causeway. Bear left to toll booth. Go through toll booth. Make left turn at second traffic light.
• From South: Take US-1 to Brickell Ave. Bear right to toll booth. Go through toll booth. Make left turn at second traffic light.

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South Beach Wine and Food Festival

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Welcome back, South Beach Wine and Food Festival!

If you were wondering why all those big huge tents were on the beach, now you know. It’s yet another festival in South Florida. We may not know how to cast a proper ballot, run a city government, or elect qualified officials, but damn we know how to throw a party!

What began as a humble little one-day festival known as Florida Extravaganza at the FIU Biscayne Bay Campus is today known as the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. Held on the beautiful sands of South Beach and at various fine restaurants throughout the area, this festival is the largest and most well-known of its kind.

Now in its 7th year, the star studded four-day event is hosted by Southern Wine and Spirits of Florida and Florida International University (FIU). The festival benefits the Teaching Restaurant and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center, both located at FIU.

Tonight’s parties include:

• Amstel Light Burger Bash at Ritz Carlton
  Sold Out
• D’vine Divas at the Biltmore
  Tickets: $300
• Paula’s Poker Party at the Paris Theater
  Sold Out

http://www.sobewineandfoodfest.com

Lunar Eclispe

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Lunar Eclipse – Mon Feb 20, 2008

I am officially disappointed in the weather last night for the viewing of the lunar eclipse. It’s been rainy and cloudy the last couple of days, and although the rain didn’t come until after the eclipse, it was quite cloudy. The moon was only visible for seconds at a time during the eclipse. For the hour or two leading up to the eclipse it was in perfect view, naturally. Most of the hour looked like the photo above… full cloud cover.

I got lucky and snapped a quick photo during the rare couple second the moon was visible. This isn’t quite what I was hoping for, but it’s the best I could get under the circumstances.
Let’s hope 2010 has better weather conditions.

Click on thumbnails for larger view

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Total Eclipse of the Moon

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Total Lunar Eclipse

The Last Total Eclipse of the Moon until December 2010

Heads up, stargazers. Tonight is your last chance to view a total lunar eclipse until December 2010. Those of you good at math already know that 2010 is only 2 years away so this isn’t actually something to panic over. We just like the drama of the “this is your last chance” angle. heh heh

The eclipse can be viewed anywhere in the city where you have a view of the moon, or from the comfort of your favorite science museum that makes learning fun for the whole family: the Miami Science Museum.

Usually one or two lunar eclipses occur each year, although some are only partial eclipses. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow, which can only occur at full Moon. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and Sun, which can only occur at new Moon. Eclipses occur in pairs, about two weeks apart, either a lunar eclipse followed by solar, or a solar eclipse followed by lunar. This month, a solar eclipse occurred February 7th, but was only visible in the Southern Hemisphere.

During the eclipse, the moon usually takes on the color of bright orange to blood-red. Why? Because that is the color of the Earth’s shadow. Recent eclipses have also shown a flash of turquoise. You can thank the ozone for that one. The best time to catch the blues tonight will be at the very beginning and very end of totality which should be around 10:01pm and 10:51pm.

Science is fun!

8:00pm
Free: Live Lunar Eclipse Show with “Star Gazer” Jack Horkheimer (Inside Planetarium Dome)

8:45pm to Midnight
Free: Telescopic Eclipse Viewing (In Museum Courtyard) Plus entire Eclipse will be projected on Planetarium Dome In Enhanced Definition

Eclipse times
8:43pm Partial Eclipse begins
10:01pm Total Eclipse Begins
10:51pm Total Eclipse Ends
12:09am Partial Eclipse Ends (on 2/21/08)

Miami Science Museum
3280 South Miami Ave
Miami, FL 33129
Phone: 305-646-4200
http://www.miamisci.org

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Updates

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Updates on SobeStreets

Updates – Slide Shows added to SobeStreeets

Good morning, my lovlies.

If you haven’t checked out the main site please do so now.

Changes are happening daily, both here and on SBS home.

I have added a couple of slide shows from my old Myspace. I will be closing that Myspace soon and creating a new one under the SobeStreets name. When I do SBS will be updated with the new link.

http://www.sobestreets.com

Thanks for looking, and have a great day.

Smile!

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Miami Boat Show

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Miami Beach Boat Show

Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail

We here at SobeStreets send out a big welcome to all the boaters and sailing enthusiasts joining us this weekend for the boat show.

You too, dear reader, can see the show at the following locations. Ongoing through Monday.

Miami Beach Convention Center – Main Site
1901 Convention Center Drive
Miami, FL 33139
305-673-7311
http://www.miamiboatshow.com/
Times: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Getting there: If you’re coming to the Beach from Miami take advantage of the Park-n-Ride from the American Airlines Arena and Bicentennial Park which provides continuous service to all show sites. Daily rate is only $10.
Can’t beat it.
To purchase tickets for the show for more information visit the website at: http://www.miamiboatshow.com/attendees/parking.aspx

Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center
1635 N. Bayshore Drive
Miami, FL 33132
305-377-DOCK
http://seaislemarina.com
NOTE: This location does not require a pass or ticket for entry.
Located just off the Venetian Causeway
Times: 10:00am – 6:00pm

Miamarina at Bayside – Strictly Sail Miami
401 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33132
http://www.strictlysail.com
Times: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Locals, take note: No dogs permitted unless they are working

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Great Guinness Toast – Where? -updated

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The Great Guinness Toast

Where? Where? Where?

Everyone wants to know where to go for The Great Guinness Toast.

The answer is simple: Any place where Guinness beer is served.

Get all of your friend together, raise a glass at 11pm and you’re in.
To quote Chef Tell, “Very simple, very easy”.

Have someone take a picture of you all together and email it to the Guinness people.

It really is just that easy.

As a community service, we’ll start a list here of local watering holes serving Guinness beer. Add your favorite location in the comments and I will update this post for all to see.

• Finnegan’s Way – Ocean Drive – Miami Beach
  305-672-7747
• Finnegans’ 2 – Lincoln Road – Miami Beach
  305-538-7997
• Finnegan’s on the River -Miami
  305-856-7881
• The Playwright – 13th & Washington – Miami Beach
  305-534-0667
• Ted’s Hideaway – 124 2nd Ave – Miami Beach
  305-532-9869
  (I’m guessing his other places will have Guinness too. Dewey’s? Liquor Lounge? Free Spirits?)
• Big Pink – 2nd & Collins – Miami Beach
  305-532-4700
  (Stop laughing. I know we’re not an Irish pub, but I talked Keegan into it and we are so totally onboard!)
• Lost Weekend – 218 Española Way – Miami Beach
  305-672-1707
• Quarterdeck Seafood Restaurant – 1430 Alton Rd – Miami Beach
  305-531-2441

Basically, almost all the local’s favorites will be in on the party.

Help me out people, where else can we go tomorrow night?

Note: Clarke’s said they will not be participating. I don’t know why, but that is their choice.
See also:
Great Guinness Toast

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Wednesday Night Fever

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Wednesday Night Fever at Spiegelworld

Lookin’ for something to do tonight? Low on cash? We only have four days left before Spiegelworld packs up their tent and says ‘good bye MIA’. Tonight is your last opportunity to check out Spiegelworld’s Wednesday Night Fever.

This free event begins at 8:00pm and runs until 9:30pm.

Wednesday Night Fever
Spiegelworld – Collins Park
23rd St and Collins Ave
8pm – 9.30pm FREE

Worried it may rain and ruin your ‘do? Take in one of the films showing at the Colony Theater tonight as part of the Romance in a Can film festival.

• 7:00pm Atlas de la geografía humana
• 8:45pm Year of the Wolf

See also:
Romance in a Can – Romantic Film Festival

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