By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Perfect for South Florida skiers, Copper Mountain’s naturally divided terrain allows for family fun that suits the individual abilities and needs of each family member.   Although this world-class resort offers all the powder (21 inches and counting just this week), perks, altitude and thrills of neighboring Colorado mountain resorts such as Breckenridge and Vail, it is extra family friendly in terms of accessibility, amenities, service, ski school, and wallet-friendly prices. In short- Copper Mountain gives you all the fun without the hassle and big ticket pricing. It’s no surprise that Copper has consistently been voted the locals’ favorite ski resort.

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By:  Maryanne Salvat and Mary Jo Shore

The 14^th annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) presented by FOOD & WINEwelcomed more than 60,000 enthusiastic foodies to more than 75 different events throughout South Florida in February. To date, the Festival has raised approximately $22 million for the Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Laboratory and Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management located on Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay campus.   Below, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite events of SOBEWFF 2015.

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Brittny Gastineau, an American model and socialite, attended the Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program Annual Black-Tie Gala on Saturday, March 7, at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami. She looked stunning in a long-sleeved, fitted blue gown by Michael Costello. Gastineau, who arrived with reality star/man-about-town, Fabian Basabe, took countless selfies throughout the evening and announced that she would be moving to Miami in the spring. 

The World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral was celeb-central last week, with the Trump family in the house along with the top 50 golfers in the world. On Tuesday night at the Opening Drive party, the Trumps, along with DJ Irie and Miss Universe mixed, mingled and enjoyed light bites and cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose vodka. Seven-time PGA tour champion Matt Kuchar, the official Grey Goose golf pro, along with fellow competitors of the World Golf Championship, took the night off to relax before the start of the prestigious tournament and enjoyed the Miami HEAT game at the American Airlines Arena. In support of United Way of Miami-Dade, Kuchar took his skills from the green to the court and almost sunk a half-court basket for $25K. Carlos Santana headlined the Cadillac Nights Concert on Saturday evening. On Sunday afternoon, as Dustin Johnson finished up his last shot to win it all, his beautiful wife Paulina Gretzky and new born baby were waiting behind the 18th green watching his big win on a TV screen near where the interviews were going to take place. Johnson walked up to sign his winning score card and instantly beamed at the sight of Paulina and his son, saying, “Now that’s what I wanted to see.” He then hugged and kissed them both.

Jane Fonda was spotted at Verde restaurant at the Perez Art Museum.

Zoe Kravitz was seen frolicking in the ocean near the Fontainebleau on Friday afternoon. Kravitz hosted a party late night at WALL lounge at the W South Beach the night before.

The soon-to-be-opened KURO, Japanese Craft Kitchen at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida hosted its first private preview last week for renowned fashion photographer Russell James, Victoria’s Secret model, Behati Prinsloo (Mrs. Adam Levine) and friends.

Last Saturday evening, actor/rapper Ludacris dined at Lincoln Road hotspot Meat Market. The table of four enjoyed a selection of Chef Sean Brasel’s signature dishes.

George Hamilton attended Seaspice’s Sunday brunch party.

Elvis Duran and the Morning Show’s Skeery Jones, brunched at Top Chef alum Fabio Viviani’s Siena Tavern. After brunch Skeery was seen lounging poolside at Thompson Miami Beach sipping on signature cocktails from 1930’s House.
Marc Anthony dined with his wife and friends on the riverfront terrace at Zuma on Friday.

The dazzling excitement of a Hollywood movie premiere –scented with roses and popcorn — will make every guest feel like a star at the 2015 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, “Celebrate the Movies,” running until March 8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. A red carpet will lead visitors through an Art Deco theater facade with a 29-foothighmarquee of flowers and more than 200 lights in blazing neon colors. The Entrance Garden will recall the fantastic interiors of 1920s movie palaces, with towering juniper and palm trees and grand chandeliers dripping with blossoms, moss, jewels and fabrics. Sweeps of 800 blue-green and variegated hostas will surround the planters of the star-studded rose garden, with blooms named in honor of silver-screen legends, including Judy Garland (orange-yellow), Marilyn Monroe (peach), Elizabeth Taylor (pink), Henry Fonda (yellow), and Barbra Streisand (pink lavender). An 8-foot centerpiece of cut roses and other blossoms will be the largest arrangement ever created for a Flower Show entrance.

The garden will also feature 1,500 calla lilies in yellow, lavender, peach-orange and plum; 1,400 ferns; New Guinea patiens, pentas, digiplexis, geraniums, anemones, pineapple lilies, and rieger begonias. In keeping with the movie theme, a moving sculpture of a deconstructed film projector by Chris Kanienberg, of Wish Painting and Sculpture, will flicker and whirl in the garden.

Guests will also view the winning entries in the Flower Show short-film competition entitled “What Is Beauty?” on the 36-foot-wide, high-definition screen in the garden. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which builds beauty every day through its gardening, greening and learning programs, is working with the Greater Philadelphia Film Office to engage professional and student filmmakers in the competition. Guests will be able to purchase popcorn and other movie theater treats in the garden concession stand while watching the winning films. The Entrance Garden will be the opening act in an astounding presentation that turns the silver screen into living color on the Flower Show floor. Internationallyrenowned floral and garden designers will use Disney and Disney•Pixar films as inspiration for exhibits that highlight everyone’s favorite movies, from “Cars” to “Frozen” and “Maleficent” to the new live action film “Cinderella.”

Tickets for the 2015 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show are now available online at theflowershow.com.

By: Maryanne Salvat

Miami International Film Festival

Miami Dade College’s Miami International Film Festival, the only major film festival worldwide produced by a college or university, is celebrating its 32nd edition. Running March 6 – 15, the 10-day annual event takes place at the Festival’s traditional home, the historic Olympia Theater at Gusman Center in downtown, plus six additional cinemas scattered across The Magic City; and includes a plethora of screenings, stylish parties, thoughtful panel discussions, spirited film competitions, awards ceremonies and immersive cultural exchange opportunities for filmmakers attending from across the globe. This year’s Festival showcases 125 films, including 94 feature films and documentaries, 18 short films, 11 student films and 2 works-in-progress, produced and directed by both renowned and emerging talent from 40 countries. The Festival is pleased to announce numerous important premieres: 14 World, 6 International, 22 North American and 12 US premieres, debuting in Miami. General admission for each film is $13, but prices range for all events and packages. For more information, visit www.miamifilmfestival.com or call 305-237-FILM(3456). To purchase tickets, visit www.miamifilmfestival.com/program/ .

World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship

Taking place March 4-8, the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship is more than a world-class event featuring the greatest golfers from across the globe – it is also a must-attend international social event that brings the worlds of fashion, music and entertainment to one of the finest resorts, Trump National Doral.  Cadillac Miami Nights is the newly-named platform for the series of nightlife events during tournament week, notably the Dolce & Gabbana fashion experience on Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Carlos Santana concert on Saturday, March 7 at 8 p.m. The Championship also introduces enhanced culinary and hospitality offerings with the Escalade Lounge, GREY GOOSE Vodka 19^th Hole Lounge, Cadillac Experience Double Decker, Burger & Beer Joint, six local food trucks, and more.Visit www.CadillacChampionship.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Honey Bug Run/Walk

Philanthropist and founder of Honey Shine Mentoring Program, Tracy Wilson Mourning will host the Program’s first Honey Bug Run/Walk in honor of Women’s History Month on Saturday March 7, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Women’s Park (10251 W Flagler St.) More than 150 “Honey Bugs” are expected to participate in the March run/walk. And with the backing of the 5K’s patrons, including Mourning Family Foundation, JCP Printing and Designs, Baptist Health South Florida, and Miami-Dade County, Wilson Mourning looks forward to it being a great success. Registration for the general public and for Honey Shine Members is $25, $35 to the general public. To register and to find more information on the event and Honey Shine Inc., visit www.honeyshine.org.

A Night at the Bass Museum

The Bass Museum of Art’s annual fundraiser A Night at the Museum will be held on Wednesday evening, March 11. This year’s theme will recall the drama and glamour of the classic Hollywood genre Film Noir. Over 500 arts patrons, philanthropists and trendsetters are expected to attend to raise funds for museum programming. The festive evening will begin with Grey Goose cocktails and Chateau D’Esclans rosé, and delicious bites provided by STK Miami followed by desserts from Oolite Restaurant and Bar. Guests, who are encouraged to dress in the theme Film Noir, will mingle among projections of clips of 1940s crime drama classics, before they head to the dance floor. Tickets to A Night at the Museum: A Film Noir Experience are $250 for two and include an upper-level museum membership. Tickets at $1,000 include two tickets, membership and special donor recognition. To purchase, visit events.bassmuseum.org or call 305 673 7530 ext. 1018.

Women of Tomorrow Annual Black-Tie Gala 

The Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program will be honoring community leaders at its Annual Black-Tie Gala at the beautiful Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Saturday, March 7. Gala Chair Marisa Toccin Lucas along with founders Jennifer Valoppi, Don Browne and Co-Vice President, the Honorable Katherine Fernandez Rundle have put together highlights for the evening that will include a plush cocktail reception, a highly anticipated silent and live auction, an extravagant four-course dinner and a live performance by South Florida’s own Soul Survivors. For more information, call 305.371.3330 or visit www.womenoftomorrow.

Saks Fifth Avenue and Cinderella’s Glass Slipper

In celebration of Disney’s live-action film inspired by the classic fairy tale, “Cinderella,” Disney Consumer Products (DCP), in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, has collaborated with nine luxury designer shoe brands globally to assemble an enchanting collection of shoes that reimagine Cinderella’s iconic glass slipper. Distinguished designers include: Paul Andrew, Alexandre Birman, René Caovilla, Jimmy Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo, Nicholas Kirkwood, Charlotte Olympia, Jerome C. Rousseau, and Stuart Weitzman. Each brand has created its interpretation of the famed glass slipper Cinderella accidentally leaves behind when the clock strikes midnight.   Select styles will be available exclusively in the United States for custom order in select Saks Fifth Avenue retail stores starting in March. The shoes will be on display at Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour from March 12 through March 18.

On Saturday, February 28 from 7:00 p.m. to midnight, join The Friends of CHOP for the 2015 Cheers for CHOP at the Valley Forge Casino! This year’s event will benefit CHOP’s Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy program—one of the first programs in the country to recognize the therapeutic value of play for hospitalized children. Guests will be treated to a special live performance by the chart topping hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa as well as a live auction benefiting CHOP. To purchase tickets or for more information visit: www.cheersforchop.org.

dineKOP Restaurant Week

King of Prussia District (KOP-BID) is excited to announce dineKOP; KOP-BID’s unique interpretation of a restaurant week launching March 2-8. KOP offers diners the opportunity to experience the best culinary offerings in the area, with the participation of nearly every major steakhouse, lively sports bars, and locally owned establishments alike. A portion of the proceeds from participating dineKOP restaurants will be donated to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) new Specialty Care Center, slated to open in King of Prussia in summer 2015. In addition, participating dineKOP restaurants will be welcoming CHOP families to dine with them and enjoy a special restaurant experience during dineKOP. During dineKOP, participating KOP restaurants will create special prix-fixe lunch and/or dinner menus for guests to enjoy at affordable prices*: $10, $15, or $20 for lunch and $20, $30, or $40 for dinner; For a list of restaurants and more information visit: visitKOP.com/dineKOP. *Price does not include tax, gratuity or alcohol.