by: Maryanne Salvat

Bowlmor AMF Donates to American Red Cross Disaster Relief Services

Bowlmor AMF, the world leader in bowling entertainment, will raise funds at the more than 300 centers nationwide, with proceeds benefitting the American Red Cross’ disaster relief services. Additionally, Bowlmor AMF will match donations up to $50,000. To support the fundraiser, Bowlmor AMF is asking guests who visit one of Bowlmor AMF’s 300+ centers in the United States and Canada to make a donation to help the victims of this year’s devastating hurricane season.

As the largest bowling entertainment company in the world, Bowlmor AMF puts an innovative spin on the typical bowling experience with centers that feature modern, stylish décor, upscale amenities, and deliciously inventive menus. Bowlmor AMF’s bowling centers provide the perfect setting for every occasion, from first-class family nights and birthday celebrations to unforgettable holiday parties and corporate events.

For more information, visit bowlmor.com, amf.com, bowlero.com, and bowlbrunswick.com.

Hurricane Irma Keys Relief Benefit

Michael Capponi and ORA would like to invite you all to one of their many grassroots initiatives underway to aid Florida Keys residents post Hurricane Irma. They will be hosting a benefit this Friday, September 22nd at ORA Miami. This is a great cause to help your fellow Florida Keys neighbors immediately on the ground. They are collecting $30 donations at the door, 100% of Irma bottle packages sold at $1,500 per and 10% off all table sales will benefit this fund.

Email to RSVP@luna.group for more details or visit: https://www.globalempowermentmission.org/hurricane-irma for more details

#globalempowermentmission #oramiami #hurricaneirma

South Florida Migrant Farmer Community Fundraiser

Sacred Space founder, Karla Dascal and her partner, Gingi Beltran are raising funds to help the migrant farmer community, which was gravely impacted by Hurricane Irma.  Already among the poorest members of South Florida’s residents, these farmers have lost their homes as well as the crops that bring them employment and feed their families.  Due to the destruction, there will be no harvest for at least a year and no means of income for these workers. Consider helping these people who are in desperate need.

To make a donation, follow this link: https://donate.sachamama.org/campaign/gingis-b-day/c146075 

The Sacred Space has generously agreed to match donations up to $5,000. No amount is too small or great. The deadline for donations is Friday, September 22, 2017.

Irma Relief at EAST, Miami 

EAST, Miami, a lifestyle hotel & residences at Brickell City Centre is pleased to announce that it has officially reopened for service. Its signature restaurants Quinto La Huella and Sugar will open its doors as well. While other hotels and businesses in the Brickell area are unfortunately still closed, EAST, Miami received little damage from the storm, and is now accepting existing and new reservations.

In efforts to help support Hurricane Irma Relief, Sugar will be donating $2 per each specialty “Irma Relief” cocktail ($16) sold to Feeding South Florida. The cocktail includes Plymouth Gin, St. Germain, Muddled Apple, Aloe, Pineapple and Lime Juice.

RedBike Studios and Convoy of Hope Fundraiser

On Saturday, September 23, RedBike Studios will host a special indoor cycling ride. 100% of the proceeds from these rides will be donated to Convoy of Hope. Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services team has served 10 cities in Florida by providing much-needed food, water and other emergency relief supplies. They are working with local partners in the area to distribute these supplies and serve hurricane survivors in need. In Florida, they have already served more than 8,000 people and distributed 200,000+ pounds of supplies. A special thanks to all of the community partners: Crossbridge Brickell, RedBike Studios, and Pipeline Workspaces. The event will begin at 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. at RedBike Studios Brickell 1399 Southwest 1st Avenue #102, Miami, Florida 33130.

VEZA SUR Brewing Co. and Islamorada Beer Co. Join Forces for the Keys

VEZA SUR Brewing Co. has partnered with Islamorada Beer Co. and the charity, GottaLuvThem (http://www.gottaluvthem.org/Floridakeysrelieffund), in collecting donations to help out the victims of Hurricane Irma in the Keys. People who want to help raise funds can go directly to their GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/floridakeysfund. VEZA SUR Brewing Co. will also be collecting donations of non-perishable items, toiletries, water, first aid kits, etc. at the brewery from now until September 30th. Customers who donate two items or more will receive a Chopp on the house. 

List of items VEZA SUR is collecting:

• Canned / Non-Perishable Food
• Bottled Water or Gatorade
• Bleach
• Toiletries (e.g. soap,shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.)
• Toilet Paper & Paper Towels
• Baby Care (e.g. Diapers & Baby Wipes)
• Hand Sanitizer
• First Aid Kits

Miami Design District Community Event: Give Thanks, Give Back, Be Stronger as a Community

Miami has had a rough week. With Hurricane Irma leaving a lot of us perhaps very stressed out, cramped up with family members and friends, powerless and in some cases without A/C. The Miami Design District would like to give Miami residents a reason to get out of the house, enjoy some much-needed relaxation and give back to the community while surrounded by the Design District’s public art works, Flotsam & Jetsam and Jungle mural.

Miami Design District’s Jungle Plaza will host We Will #atMDD, a free community event this Friday, September 22nd from 6 – 9 PM. Guests will be treatedto a night of complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi and entertainment, including pizza provided by Harry’s Pizzeria and a sunset yoga session taught byAhana Yoga’s Dawn Feinberg. The event is free and open to the public with RSVP at the link here, however suggested donations of $20 will be welcomed to benefit Hurricane Irma relief efforts.

PAMM Teams Up with Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade For Hurricane Relief

Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is teaming up with Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade and Feeding South Florida to collect much needed supplies for those affected by Hurricane Irma. Bring in items to PAMM through September 26, 2017 and receive free admissionduring regular museum hours.

Items needed by Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade:

Water

Baby products

Hygiene products

Non-perishable food, easily opened

Clothes and shoes for children and teenagers

Bug spray

Items needed by Feeding South Florida:

Peanut butter

Cereal (hot & cold)

Pasta

Rice Beans

Canned vegetables

Canned meals

Canned soups

Canned tuna & meat

Fruit cups

WHEN:

Through September 26

WHERE:

Pérez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132

PRICE: Receive free admission during regular museum hours when you bring a donation item. Open to the public.

Miami Spice 2017
Now in its 16th year, the Miami Spice Restaurant Program produced by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau(GMCVB) offers visitors and locals an accessible way to experience more than 250 of the finest restaurants in the region, including 55 new participants in 2017. Miami Spice kicked-off August 1^st and will run through September 30^th with dining deals that include lunch and brunch priced at $23 per person and dinner priced at $39 per person. Prices include an appetizer, entrée and dessert; alcohol, tax, tip and service charges are excluded. This year’s sponsors include Citibank®, Lyft, Chandon California, Fiji Water, Stella Artois, Terrazas de los Andes, Ketel One Vodka, Don Julio Tequila, Bulleit Bourbon and Zacapa Rum.

To spice up the second half of the program, participating restaurants are offering new takes on their Miami Spice menus. Among the restaurants launching new Miami Spice menus in September are Atlantikós, BLT Prime, BLT Steak, Blue Collar, Bulla Gastrobar, Candela Gastrobar, EDGE Steak & Bar, Fooq’s, Hakkasan, Komodo, Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann, Lure Fishbar, Matador Room, Meat Market Miami Beach, Mignonette Uptown, Monty’s Coconut Grove, Novecento, Ortanique on the Mile, Pao by Paul Qui, Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar, Son Cubano, StripSteak by Michael Mina, The Forge, TUYO and Toro Toro. For a full list of participating restaurants, Miami Spice menus and special events, please visit www.iLoveMiamiSpice.com.

Hurricane Irma Relief at Doheny Room

Beat the cabin fever while helping in hurricane relief efforts at the Doheny Room at the Delano. The party takes place Saturday September 16 at 10 p.m. The $20 door charge includes open Tito’s bar from 10 p.m. – midnight.   All proceeds of sales will benefit hurricane Irma clean up efforts
Music will be by Lokahontas x Goodgyldani

The Butcher Shop Beer Garden & Grill Re-launches Summer Specials and Happy Endings 

The Butcher Shop Beer Garden & Grill is re-launching its popular summer promotion this month, the summer fixe menu. Offered in addition to the restaurant’s regular à la carte menu, the summer fixe menus highlight some of The Butcher Shop’s signature dishes and offers a two course lunch option for $16 and three course dinner menu for $29. Promotion will run through the end of September. 

 Happy Endings, The Butcher Shop’s new late night happy hour takes place from 10pm to close every Sunday through Thursday and features discounted bites, $6 select cocktails and $6 select drafts.  New cocktails include: Ancho Lime Margarita (photo attached) – Tromba tequila, ancho lime syrup, orange liqueur, DR Dark & Stormy – Atlantico rum, lime juice and Fever Tree ginger beer, Dry Heat – Bombay dry gin, passion fruit, jalapeño and Texan Spritz – Tito’s vodka, Campari, St Germaine and sparkling wine.

Labor Day Specials at Ariete

The creative minds behind Ariete, restaurateur Jason Odio and Executive Chef Michael Beltran, have curated the perfect Labor Day Happy Hour. Ariete – not typically open on Mondays – will open its doors in honor of Labor Day on Monday, September 4th from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Patrons will enjoy all-day Happy Hour specials such as $2 oysters, $10 Chug Burgers and $3 Fritas, as well as special pricing on other delicious favorites including grilled chicken wings, smoked fish dip and more. Select cocktails will be available for $7, along with $5 beers and a special Labor Day punch for $6. Ariete is located at 3540 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL 33133.

Take a LYFT this Labor Day

As we head towards Labor Day, Lyft took a look at the top destinations Miamians and its visitors had been headed to this summer. “The increase we saw in Lyft ridership this summer shows that people are more interested in the convenience and ease of the ridesharing industry than ever before,” said Samuel Cohen, general manager of Lyft Florida.

As it turns out, airports, tourist spots, shopping locations, and more all made the list of Top 10 Lyft Destinations in Miami This Summer. The list follows.

1. Miami International Airport
2. Fort Lauderdale Airport
3. Aventura Mall
4. Walmart Supercenter (3200 NW 79th St)
5. Bayfront Park
6. Fontainebleau Miami Beach
7. Marlins Park
8. Department of Motor Vehicles at The Village Flea Market
9. University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center
10. Miami-Dade College (Wolfson Campus)

Source: Lyft

Available statewide across Florida, Lyft, the fastest-growing on-demand transportation service in the United States, has already given more rides this year than all of 2016 and provides over 1M rides a day.  The rideshare app has unveiled new rider options, to include Lyft Line, Lyft Lux and Lyft Lux SUV, to create a completely customizable passenger experience.

Craft Beer 5K Run

The Tank Brewing Company is joining forces with Frankie Ruiz, co-founder of the Miami Marathon, to bring the first ever Craft Beer 5K Run to South Florida. The race is open to everyone –including runners and beer lovers of all kinds– and will depart from The Tank Brewing Co. on Saturday, September 30 at 6:00 p.m. The net proceeds of the Run will benefit two South Florida-based nonprofit organizations, Amigos For Kids, an organization dedicated to child abuse prevention and strengthening families, and Live Like Bella Foundation, which supports childhood cancer research.

The post-race celebrations will include a festival with local breweries offering a sampling of their brews, food by-the-bite, live music, and games.  Participating breweries include The Tank Brewing Company, MIA Beer Company, Funky Buddha Brewery, J. Wakefield Brewing, Biscayne Bay Brewing Company, Concrete Beach Brewery, Wynwood Brewing, 26 Degree Brewing Company and Miami Brewing Company. Training runs will be coordinated at all participating breweries from now until race day.

Supporting sponsors and partners include Ryder, MBF Healthcare Partners, Gold Coast Distributors, Altadis U.S.A. Premium Cigar, Goya Foods, Crown Wine and Spirits, Professional Bank, Republica, and Ocean Mazda. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact info@TheTankBrewing.com

Those interested in registering for the South Florida Craft Beer Run, should visit SouthFloridaCraftBeerRun.com.  The $30 registration fee includes race t-shirt, medal, and one complimentary beer, along with other swag. For an additional $10 donation, participants will receive a pair of Live Like Bella commemorative socks to sport on race day.

Guests are invited to share photos and comments using #SFLCraftBeerRun and #SipAndDiscuss on The Tank’s social channels: @TheTankBrewing on Instagram, The Tank Brewing Company on Facebook, and @TheTankBrewing on Twitter, as well as the corresponding social channels of all participating breweries.  

Moët & Chandon Imperial

Champagne on ice.  Moët & Chandon launches Moët Ice Imperial, the first-ever champagne designed especially to be enjoyed over ice. Since then, this new style of drinking one of the most classic and revered wines has taken off across the category, with brands vying to create their own variations. This summer, Moët will debut its newest expression, launching nationally, Moët Ice Imperial Rosé (SRP: $79.99/www.melandrose.com) As restaurants and bars begin to release their seasonal drink menus, expect to see this traditional beverage now more than ever – served on the rocks.

Enjoy National Rosé Day at Nikki Beach

The National Rose Day Edition on June 10th – features $5 glasses, a Ladyfingers Popsicle collab, Frose, and the ultimate Saturday hang where you can sip in the sunshine with your toes in the sand. Drink Pink at Nikki Beach on June 10th and every Saturday with rosé by the glass for $5 and Bottles of rosé for $25. For National Rose Day, Nikki Beach will also be collaborating with Ladyfings popsicles to offer $2 Lychee Rosewater popsicles to swirl in your glass for an extra fresh sip. Also new will be Frose, the perfect slushy accompaniment to a Saturday hang. Spend the afternoon sipping rosé, dining on light bites from Nikki Beach’s lunch menu and feasting on sunset specials from 4 – 6pm, while dancing and soaking up the endless sunshine. The vibe is Côte d’Azur chic as the DJ spins happy house music. A Miami Beach landmark since1998, Nikki Beach continues to delight guests with its South of France-style joie de vivre, lively DJs and dancers and iconic white daybeds and teepees. Nikki Beach is located at 1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL. Lunch is served from noon until 6:00 p.m., including a wonderful Sunset Special menu from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Kiki on the River Also Toasts National Rosé Day

The Miami River’s hottest new eatery, Kiki on The River, will be celebrating National Rose Day with the ultimate ode to summer. From noon till 4pm, Kiki will offer a special selection of a dozen East and West Coast oysters and a bottle of Whispering Angel for $49.95. Gather some friends for the ultimate riverfront celebration, enjoy a glass of Frose ($14), and partake of menu offerings like Mezedes (shared plates) and salads that entice with plates of Saganaki made with lightly fried Kefalorgraviera, and the classic Greek salad made with tomatoes and topped with a plank of creamy feta. The extensive raw bar stocks an assortment of oysters, shrimp cocktail, ceviche and a tuna tartar made with kalamata olives and avocado puree.

Heralding a new dining experience on the Miami River, Kiki on the River, is Miami’s newest indoor/outdoor new dining destination. Romantic and contemporary, the riverside restaurant embraces the hospitality and spirit of the Greek islands with the service and style of a romantic island garden restaurant & lounge. Kiki is a passion project by nightlife pro Roman Jones, former Philippe Chow Miami managing partner, Aris Nanos, hospitality executive Lee Lyon and  Mark Lehmkuhl of Ghosthouse Creative Group. Serving lunch and dinner daily, and a lively weekend brunch, Kiki offers a selection of time-honored Greek favorites and innovative dishes, all made from scratch in-house. Jones wants to honor the life of the Miami River, with that sense of meticulously-scuffed elegance that only a windswept island can provide.

Palm Court Performance Series

Tomorrow evening at 5:00 p.m. the Miami Design District presents another successful installation of the Palm Court Performance Series. The event will feature a live performance from Emily Estefan. Fresh off tour in New York, Los Angeles, and Austin, the music soul child will be performing music from her critically acclaimed album Take Whatever You Want, that recently debuted on four Billboard charts (including R&B, Heatseekers and Indie).

FREE RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/palm-court-performance-series-produced-by-emilio-estefan-tickets-33533942926?aff=erelexpmlt

Via Emilia 9…Authentic Italian on South Beach

For one the most authentic Italian meals in town, head to Via Emilia 9, a family owned, charming restaurant near Lincoln Road, where all of the pastas are made by hand and you can watch the Sfoglina’s detailed process while you dine. She will even customize the filling of your stuffed pastas-assuming you stick to the regional ingredients.

The menu is authentic- only dishes  from  the Emilia Romagna region are served and all ingredients except for the  fruits, vegetables, flour and eggs are imported from Italy.  The dishes are hearty and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients.

Start with a plate of cured meats and cheeses and tortellini in broth, then delight in one of the tasty pasta dishes. Our favorites included: the Cappellacci do Zucca (pumpkin stuffed pasta) and the Tagliatelle al Prosciutto di Parma (Tagliatelle with Parma Ham). An assortment of Italian wines is available and offered at discounted prices during happy hour.

In the  tradition of true Italian cooking, Via Emilia’s open kitchen allows guests to view the pasta making and cooking process, which results in a delightful experience. The restaurant is chic and cozy and has a little market where you can buy authentic Italian products.

For more information visit:  http://www.viaemilia9.com.

Big Hats and Bow Ties MISO Brunch

Miami Symphony Orchestra, Music Director and Conductor Eduardo Marturet along with Suzy Buckley Woodward, Carolina Lanao, and María Celeste Arrarás, Tina Carlo, Irene Korge invite you to their annual MISO Brunch, this Saturday, April 29 at PAO Restaurant at Faena.  The host committee includes: Michelle Areces, Barbara Becker, Criselda Breene, Iran Issa-Khan, Gabriela Rachadell de Delgado, Sam Robin, Athina Klioumi, Anick Vorbe. Wear your most fashionable chapeaux as you enjoy an afternoon of delicacy with grand company. Buy your Tickets at EVENTBRITE or Call the MISO Office (305) 275-5666. *A PORTION OF TICKET SALES WILL BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

The Miami Beach K9 Knights Regatta

The Miami Beach K9 Knights announced they will sponsor a joint event Regatta with the various Police Department Marine Patrols representing the six Police Departments from South Beach to Bal Harbour this Saturday, April 29^th starting at 3:30pm in North Beach. The Regatta will commence at the North Beach Police sub-Station, where 38 Knights will board 6 Police boats to cruise the Miami waterways to experience the working perspective of the Marine Patrols. The boats will eventually reach Palm Island, where all will be greeted by our gracious hosts Knights Lindsay Smith and Marc D’Ge at a Cocktail Reception in their beautiful home.At the Reception, guests will join up and mix with two to three of the nine Police canines that were already purchased by the Knights over the past four years.Temporary Website: www.miamibeachk9knights.com.

Ariete Summer Sips

Coconut Grove’s favorite neighborhood spot, Ariete, adds the perfect summer sips to its recently launched Happy Hour menu – The Cocktail Float as well as complimentary Sunset Shots. The Cocktail Float is the ultimate throwback to the ice cream float from your childhood, all grown up. A blend of house-made ice cream, Not Your Father’s Root Bear, Fernet Branca and Luxardo, The Cocktail Float is the ultimate spiked ice cream indulgence. Also new on the Happy Hour menu is the Sunset Shot; patrons will receive a complimentary shot of the bartender’s choice each day at sunset as part of Miami’s Support Local initiative (one per person, at the bartender’s discretion). The shot will be served to all guests sitting at the bar during Happy Hour at the exact time the sun sets each day. With a Happy Hour available Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Ariete is the perfect spot to enjoy after work cocktails & craft beer (priced at $8 for beer and $10 for cocktails) including the French 75 (Flor de Caña, lemon juice and Proseco) and The Girl from Ipanema (Cachaca, ginger beer, lime & basil), among others. Pioneering their unique blend of farmhouse cuisine with trail-blazing Latin influences, the creative minds behind Ariete, restauranteur Jason Odio and Executive Chef Michael Beltran, have carefully curated the perfect lite bites menu to accompany the decadent cocktail offerings. Menu items are priced at $10 or under and include Fritas with chorizo and potato sticks on a potato roll, Grilled Oysters, Ariete Oxtail Nuggets, Smoked Salmon Sliders and the restaurant’s signature Chug Burger. For more information visit www.arietemiami.com or call 305-640-5862.

 The Grape Escape at The Betsy

Ocean Drive hotel debuts wine happy hour for the season

The Betsy-South Beach has launched an unrivaled new happy hour, The Grape Escape. For just $19, guests can enjoy unlimited (white, red or rosé) wine and prosecco from the Grape Escape menu at the lobby bar from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., seven days a week. Specially priced light bites from LT Steak & Seafood will also be available and include an array of sushi rolls, oysters, bao buns and ceviche, to name a few.

Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach

Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach is an AAA Four Diamond-rated oceanfront hotel that features 240 guest rooms, including 24 unforgettable suites that displays the picturesque seven-mile beaches of Fort Lauderdale. Find modern yet elegant accommodations upon your arrival and experience the ideal location of the beautiful golden beaches of Fort Lauderdale that places guests at the center of southeastern Florida with West Palm to the north and Miami to the south. Seize the opportunity to spend the day in full relaxation with an array of amenities Sonesta Fort Lauderdale has to offer, including an outdoor pool and bar, lobby bar, fitness center, business center, spa treatment suite and the Bistro, a full-service beachfront restaurant. Lounge by the pool under the Florida rays with sun decks, comfortable chairs and cabanas all at your convenience while sipping on one of the hotel’s cocktails of the month or themed Daily Delight. The new line-up of tasty treats and refreshing libations are now available for guests to enjoy poolside, at the bar or in the comfort their room. April kicks off the Kachumber Cooler cocktail that perfectly blends together the best of spring vibes including a kick of green finger chili that leaves any zest lover’s taste buds watering.

Spa Week

Spa Week continues its dedication of delivering the best in health and wellness year round by working with spas nationwide to transform their traditional treatments into one-of-a-kind wellness experiences for our daily lives. From April 17^th – 23^rd, hundreds of spas will give consumers the opportunity to explore wellness in an extraordinary and affordable way during Spa Week’s Spring 2017 Event. “A profound shift in the way people consume wellness is underway: once a luxury or “add-on”, it is now being infused into every aspect of daily life,” shares Katherine Johnston, Senior Research Fellow, GWI.

From holistic salt therapy centers to detoxify the respiratory system, to standing in a -160 degree Cryotherapy Chamber to reduce cellulite and improve circulation, these signature services – normally valued at anywhere from $100 to $500 – will be available for just $50 each. Sit back and get ready to enjoy this roller coaster ride of healthy lifestyle choices and rejuvenate with our top recommendations for Spa Week’s Spring 2017 event; visit www.spaweek.com for details.

Via Emilia 9’s Picnic Basket

In honor of National Picnic Day on Sunday, April 23rd Miami’s favorite Italian Eatery, Via Emilia 9 is kicking off the informal holiday with a charming picnic bag to go, to enjoy with your sweetheart, friends or family outdoors! With beautiful parks and beaches nearby, soak up the sun, enjoy a delicious cheese plate, a bottle of wine and more for only $80. The picnic basket promotion runs through June 2017.

Call to place an order in advance of pickup: 786-216-7150. Via Emilia 9 is located at 1120 15th St., Miami Beach, FL 33139
http://www.viaemilia9.com/