Amigos For Kids Returns!

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On September - 21 - 2022ADD COMMENTS

Amigos For Kids, a Miami-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect by valuing children, strengthening families, and educating communities, is proud to announce that its wildly popular signature annual fundraiser is back. The much anticipated return of Amigos For Kids’ Miami Celebrity Domino Night will take place the evening of Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Jungle Island. Read the rest here »

Your Culinary Adventure Awaits at Neya

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On September - 15 - 2022ADD COMMENTS

 

Set in a dark, sexy space with beautiful furnishings and sultry decor, Neya provides simple elegance in both its ambience and its unique and abundantly flavorful menu offerings

Neya’s modern Israeli menu, influenced by Spain, North Africa and Levant is filled with dishes that are as authentic and absolutely delicious, as they are fun to pronounce. Your best bet is to ask the dynamic hostess and attentive server to recommend favorite dishes, or better yet, to surprise you.

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More than 1500 guests gathered for the most anticipated runway show of Swim Week 2022. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit hosted its annual show poolside during PARAISO Miami Beach at the W Hotel South Beach on July 16th, proving once again that beauty comes in all colors, shapes, ages and sizes -and celebrating female strength, beauty and power.

True to form, Sports Illustrated wowed the audience by featuring numerous surprises on the runway, including curvy sisters, Hunter and Michaela McGrady who strutted jubilantly down the catwalk together, and famed fitness star, 65 year-old Denise Austin, and daughter Katie. The duo pranced down the runway, flexed for photographers and hugged, looking more like madly-fit sisters than mother and daughter.

Fifty year old, Shannon Burton, Swim Search finalist, who began modeling at age 35, made her debut, stating that she was inspired by Kathy Jacobs, who became the oldest Sports Illustrated model in history at age 57, during last year’s show.

The highlight of the evening was when WAGS star Nicole Williams walked the runway with husband, NFL star Larry English, and revealed her baby bump at the end of the runway. Larry sealed the official birth announcement with a kiss on Nicole’s belly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other noteworthy Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models included Jasmine Sanders, Camille Kostek, Brooks Nader, Olivia Ponton, Christen Harper, Geo Burke, and Swim Search models Mady Dewey, Manju Bangalore, Joely Live, Ashley Byrd, and Janell Williams, who graced the runway in designer swim brands including Cynthia Rowley, Left on Friday, Lain Snow, Ark Swim, Navy Ray and more.

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Osteria Miami: an Italian Gem in MiMo

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On September - 1 - 2022ADD COMMENTS

Tucked away unsuspectingly in Miami’s trendy MiMo district lies one of the best new Italian restaurants in town. Already a  neighborhood favorite, Osteria’s rustic, welcoming atmosphere and vibrant mix of authentic Italian comfort foods, creatively crafted and prepared table-side, make guests feel as though they are dining in someone’s home in the Italian countryside; and are already part of the family. 

 With a rich history steeped in Italian tradition, the Osteria is best known as a humble neighborhood eatery, a place to enjoy good wine and simple yet elegant food. But the true essence of the Osteria is more than just a place to feast – it’s a place for family. Osteria Miami is true to its name in every sense.

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Escape to Cocoa Beach

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On August - 3 - 2022ADD COMMENTS

Well-known for its seamlessly endless miles of pristine beaches, Cocoa Beach offers a stretch of ankle-deep water, where you can park your chair and umbrella for hours on end; as well as big, fun, rolling waves perfect for surfing and boogie boarding. This makes Cocoa an ideal year-round destination for families and beach goers with varying interests. 

view from Sandcastles

We stayed at Sandcastles Condominiums, in one of Jill Bavetta’s magnificent, 3 bedroom/2 bath, oceanfront condominiums, which offer wraparound balconies with sweeping views of the beach  and top notch amenities. To book, contact:  http://www.beachjill.com.

In addition to the beach, there are a number of up-close-and-personal animal experiences in nearby Merritt Island. Space enthusiasts will also want to check out the Kennedy Space Center and may even have the opportunity to witness a rocket launch.  But by far, our favorite experience was located a scenic 40 minute drive from Cocoa Beach, where we  enjoyed one of the most unique, fascinating experiences in the world.

Bioluminescence Adventure 

 

Florida bioluminescence is the #1 kayaking trip in Florida and one of only a few locations in the world in which to experience bioluminescence. Florida Adventurer Tours took us on the adventure of alifetime! 

While kayaking at night can be thrilling on its own, when you throw bioluminescence into the mix- things become particularly magical. Paddling out on the Florida waters after the sun goes down is the only way to see dinoflagellates, AKA tiny, glowing plankton. 

When dinoflagellates are disturbed by motion around them, they emit a green-blue glow. This is why kayaking is the best way to witness this marvel – when the hull of your kayak cuts through the water or you plunge your paddle into the sea, these microorganisms sense the motion and fill the surrounding water with an other-worldly glow. Be sure to place your hands in the water to watch them sparkle with hundreds of twinkling lights- like handfuls of stars.
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Cèrto Risto & Pizza- Authentic Italian Food in a Great Location

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On July - 11 - 2022ADD COMMENTS

Cèrto Risto & Pizza recently opened in the Coral Gables/ West Miami area and locals couldn’t be happier. “Cèrto”which means truth, is used a great deal in Italian as an affirmation, and the truth about Cèrto is that it offers guests a comfortable, convenient setting in which to enjoy a variety of authentic Italian dishes. “I wanted a short, positive name that would give customers a good memory when thinking about their visit to Cèrto, shares Certo’s owner, Giovanni Astudillo (Gio), who was born in Ecuador and moved to New York when he was 16 years old. Gio finished high school and attended college before deciding to dedicate his life to  the restaurant business. He  saved money little by little with the hopes of one day opening a small restaurant.  Gio gained extensive restaurant experience at New York’s Barbetta,Remi, Palio and Becco to name a few.

In Miami, Gio helped to open Anacapri on Ponce de Leon and was instrumental in the opening of  Farinelli, where he served as General Manager. He later became the GM of both Apizza Brooklyn locations. After years of hard work, Gio’s dream of opening his restaurant came true, and Cèrto was born!

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