This blog has attracted many people, both visitors to the area, and residents alike. There is still so much to say about the sunny hotspot, South Beach. I am extending an offer to anyone who has a genuine interest in continuing and building this blog to take over this venture. If you are ready to make a commitment to taking up this blog, and keeping all readers abreast of the latest happenings, and hottest places and things to do in South Beach, feel free to post a comment. I will contact you by email.

P.S. you must love South Beach as much as I do.

WHAT:

Enjoy a day packed with volleyball matches and events, including:

•  
  • Courtside views of professional volleyball matches as pro teams including Team Miami challenge teams from cities across the nation in “City vs. City” competitions
  • Opportunities to watch and meet professional players
  • Free volleyball clinics for spectators
  • Chances to win Corona prizes

WHERE & WHEN:

8^th Street Beach, Miami Beach

Saturday, May 12^th

All day beginning at 8:00 a.m.

•  
  • Free volleyball clinics starting 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Women’s Final begins at 4 p.m.
  • Men’s Final begins at 5 p.m.

*Spectator admission is free 

For more information, including details on how to register to play, visit www.evptour.com.  

Nothing says “summer sports” like beach volleyball, and nothing says “summer refreshment” like a lime-squeezed Corona Light.  Whether you’re cooling down after a big game, chilling out by the beach, or at your favorite bar, Corona Light is the perfect beverage for quenching an adult-thirst.  EVP Tour participants are reminded to drink responsibly and enjoy the sun and sand this summer. 

This Week Brings with it a lot of Excitement to the Beach. Thursday the 7th, Art Basel, a very large annual event at the convention center, will open it’s doors to many people and artists, and brings with it a lot of tourists to the shores of South Beach.

Art Basel Miami Beach takes place from December
7 – 10, 2006. The international art show in Miami Beach (Florida) is the American sister event of Art Basel in Switzerland, the most important annual art show worldwide for the past 37 years. Art Basel Miami Beach is a new type of cultural event, combining an international art show with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events including music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are located in the city’s beautiful Art Deco District, within walking distance of the beach and most hotels and restaurants.
An exclusive selection of 200 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia will exhibit 20th and 21st century art works by over 1500 artists.
The exhibiting galleries are among the world’s most respected art dealers. They will be showing exceptional works by both renowned established artists and cutting-edge newcomers. Special exhibitions will feature young galleries and video art. The show will be a vital source for discovering new deve-lopments in contemporary art and rare museum-calibre art works. Art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, critics and art enthusiasts from around the world will participate in the event. Top-quality exhibitions in the museums of South Florida and special programs for art collectors and curators, will make this art show a special place for encountering art and the art world – the favorite winter meeting place for the international art world.
Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show on the American continent and a cultural and social highlight of the Americas.

Admission

One Day Ticket $ 24
Two Day Ticket $ 36
Reduced One Day Ticket (children, students, seniors, groups of 10 and more) $ 12
School Class One Day Ticket $ 5
Evening Ticket (after 5 p.m.) $ 12
Permanent Pass $ 50

Admission is free for children under 16 when accompanied by an adult.

To Order Tickets Call:
Phone: +1/305-358 58 85

Hours
Thursday December 7 to Saturday December 9, 2006
Daily from noon to 8 p.m.Vernissage for invited guests, Wednesday, December 6, 2006,
from 5 to 8 p.m.

Closing day

Sunday December 10, from noon to 6 p.m.

For More Infomation Visit www.ArtBaselMiamiBeach.com

685 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 18-June 4.

Calendar Of Artists, For Daily Updates and a Complete Calendar, Check Out:
www.whatmovesyoumiami.com

 The city anounced last year in July:

"MIAMI BEACH – Today, Jorge Gonzalez, Miami Beach's City Manager, announced the city's proposed plan for "Wireless Miami Beach." The 12-month initiative will result in a citywide wireless broadband network to support mobile broadband connectivity for police officers, firefighters, building inspectors, parking officers, public works employees, and other government officials. The network will also allow the public to access high-speed Internet at no cost in hot zones located throughout the city.

"Wireless Miami Beach will make our city safer, our government more efficient, and provide our residents and visitors the opportunity to access information anytime," Gonzalez added.

The city has developed a business model that supports the capital and operating expenses for the network and plans to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design, deployment, and management of the network sometime in August, 2005. City officials plan to complete the citywide deployment sometime in mid-2006."

basicly, you can log on in any place around Miami Beach, outdoors and indoors except in high-rises over 3 floors high. This means you will be able to just take your laptop out to the beach and do your business while sitting on a comfortable beach chair and sipping your lemonade under the sun.

In the meantime, there are several internet cafes spread troughout Miami Beach, as well as Wifi in Starbucks store and free internet in the libraries.

 Cyber Cafe     1574 Washington Ave.     (305) 534-0057

D'vine Cyber Lounge      910 Collins Ave.      (305) 534-1414

Kafka's Cybercafe and Bookstore      1464 Washington Ave.     (305) 673-9699

South Beach internet Cafe   1100 Collins ave.       (305) 532-4331

 WIFI– Leslie Cafe        1244 Ocean Drive   

What is this building and why is everybody taking pictures of it?

This mansion, the only private residence on Ocean Drive, was previously owned by the late Gianni Versace, the famous Italian designer, from 1992-1997.Gianni was murdered on the front steps of his home on July 15th, 1997, at 9 AM. The murder of Gianni and the hunt for his killer instantly became an international, front page media story. The mansion, and Gianni's billion-dollar design empire, were left to Gianni's sister Donatella, also a designer. The house is the most photographed building in Florida.

 Who killed Gianni and why?

 Gianni Versace

Gianni was shot on his front steps by Andrew Cunanan, a gay, psycho-serial-killer from San Diego, California who had discovered he had AIDS, and went on a cross-country killing spree, killing 4 ex-boyfriends before driving to Miami Beach to hunt Gianni down. Rumors has it that Cunanan had briefly met Versace at a fashion show in Sa Francisco in 1995, and had fantasies of becoming Gianni's boyfriend or model, but had been rejected by Versace  for both roles. (Gianni had a 10 year relationship going with his lover, a designer named Antonio; and he most likely found Cunanan uninteresting and too short.) On the mornning Cunanan murdered Vercase, he had followed Gianni home from his usual breakfast spot, the news cafe on 8th street and Ocean Drive. As Gianni was opening the lock on his front gate, Cunanan confronted him on the front steps repeating him desire to be a lover or model for Gianni and then got rejected a second time. Cunanan then pulled out a handgun he was carrying in his backpack and shot Versace in the back of his head 2 times, and then ran off north to 13th street and Collins Ave., where a truck he had stolen was parked. Cunanan then made a quick change of clothes, hailed a cab, and hid out on an empty houseboat that had been sitting at 50th street and Collins Ave., first breaking the padlock that was on the front door. Gianni died within 5 minute from brain damage.

How was Cunanan caught?

The houseboat Cunanan hid out on was owned by a German night-club owner, who had hired a caretaker to check it once every 2 weeks. On July 29th, 1997, the caretaker checked the boat and found the lock tampered with. He entered the front door to check out the situation. Cunanan heard the door being pushed open, and thinking the police had finally caught up with him, put the barrel of the same handgun he'd used to kill Gianni into his mouth, commiting suicide.

Who were some of Gianni's friends, for whom he designed clothes, and who were frequent guests in his house?

Madonna often partied at the mansion with Gianni, and stayed in the second floor right front bedroom. Princess Diana often stayed in the second floor left front suite. Elton John stayed in the lower-left front bedroom, and Prince (the artist) often stayed in the lower right front bedroom.

Who owns the Versace Mansion now and what are the future plans for it?

In August of 2000, Dontella Versace had put the house on the open real estate market $25 million. One rumor had it that Puff Daddy (P-Diddy) the rap star, had bought it for his first love, Jennifer Lopez but J-Lo at the time, decided not to hook back up with puffy. The current owner, Peter Loftin, paid $19 million, and is a North carolina based telecommunications millionaire, who originally wanted the house just to party in. Presently, he renovated the Mansion, leaving most of It's original art intact. It is now a five star private invitation only club where many upscale parties and gatherings are held. Members pay $40,000 to join plus $3,600 annually. To stay in one of the 10 rooms runs up to $5,000 a night. It is also rumored that Peter Loftin will be adding a new extension to the premises which will consist of several rooms and will sell as time-shares. 

So if you walk by the Versace Mansion, make sure you stop and smile to keep up the "Most photographed building in Miami beach" status of the Casa Casuarina.

 A fellow reader, Amy, posted a comment that prompted me to write this review. This Is kind of a"dining guide in a nutshell" I promise to bring you more in-depth reviews of both cheap and expensive restaurants in the future. Here are some really good suggestions, for Amy and all of you.

B.E.D.

929 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: 305.532.9070

This  is reservation only with seating daily at 8:00-8:30 and 10:00-10:30. The food is excellent, the environment is contemporary with hip hop music and you dine reclined on a giant futon,  measuring about 15 feet square. After 11:30 Pm the establishment turns into a night club with the party going on till 5 am.

Price:Expensive.

Barton G. The Restaurant

1427 West ave.
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
305.672.8881

The American cuisine at Barton G can be whimsical and down-home or tastefully sophisticated – you can eat any which way you please, from Dover sole with shrimp mousse to popcorn shrimp to truffled macaroni and cheese to grilled New York strip. The decor is Simple and eye pleasing. A great place for those who like a "restaurant" type of restaurant. open daily 6-11 pm. Reservations required.

Price: expensive

Afterglo

1200 Washington ave.
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
305.695.1717

Afterglo seems more like a party than a restaurant. The pastas here are exceptional. This high-energy restaurant is one of the most interesting dining experience available in South Florida. They have very innovative dishes, offering a lot of "raw" and organic food. There food is very healthy, tasty, and yes– very pricey. Reservations recommended. hours are Tue – Sun 7 p.m. – 1 a.m.  International cuisine.

Price: Expensive

other expensive restaurant recommendations:

The Tides 1220 Ocean Drive 305-604-5130

Sage on Fifth 437 Washington ave 305-672-3737

510 Ocean 510 Ocean Drive 305-531-1788

Mark's South Beach 1120 Collins Ave. 305-604-9050

Also some noteworthy moderately priced restaurants:

Casablanca 650 Ocean Drive 305-534-9463

Sushi Samba600 Lincoln Road 305-673-5337 ( a great place if you like seafood/sushi)

Grill Fish 1444 Collins ave. 305-538-9908 ( seafood and Grill)

There are just so many eateries in Miami Beach, especially SoBe. Virtually at every corner (and in the middle of the street) you can find an array of restaurants from fast-food to fine dining. If you are still wandering around unsure of where to eat, check out the great restaurants on Ocean Drive which are Mostly on Hotel porches. Then, take a stroll down Lincoln Road in the Mall. There are plenty of Delicious plates for every taste and budget. You will be greeted by Friendly door-people who will ask if you "want to see our menu?" and you will probably want to sit at an outside candle-lit table which allows for plenty of people-watching or just enjoying the atmosphere.

Both Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road offer plenty of bars and nightlife too.

And, if you are really really in the mood of Spending on the most delicious cuisine in the place that is known for celebrity spotting, being expensive and I mean really expensive, and oh yes–the best wine and steak! make reservations at "The Forge"

Also, dont forget to check out the Miami New Times Restaurant Review.

Haulover Beach is a beachgoers paradise if you are looking for a relaxing, amenity-loaded spot away from the crowds. The beaches are white and sandy. there are lots of picnic tables and Restrooms throughout the 1 and a half mile Haulover Beach.

And if you need a change of scenary after sunbathing for several hours, just cross the street through the underground tunnel and you are in a Haulover park. There is tennis, golf, a full service marina, a snackshop, a kite shop and a restaurant. Just start your bbq in one of the many bbq pits, and sit at your Bayfront picnic table watching expensive boats sail by and jetskis pumping the water at top speed.

And for those of you who need an all-over tan, or just because you would like to experience it– the North side of the beach is called "Nude Beach"…in other words, clothing is totally optional. this section has been partitioned off, so you can still take your family to Haulover Beach, or just stay away if "nude" isn't your thing.

 So if you've had too much of the crowds in South Beach, Give Haulover Beach a try…