LauderBlog

New Year's Eve is important. I've always thought so anyway. I know some people like to wave it off as just another night. Not me. My celebrations have run a broad gamut over the years. At New Year's Eve on the Millennium, I stood with my then-wife at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens as a choir sang from the ancient temples amid a staggering display of fireworks and ground pyrotechnics. The next year, as 2001 dawned, we stayed home and watched "2001: A Space Odyssey." I've attended black tie galas in Fort Lauderdale and enjoyed quiet evenings by the fireplace with fondue and champagne for two. But several times I also can recall feeling frustrated as the New Year approached. I just couldn't find anything to do that seemed, well, appropriate to the occasion.

If that's your problem, my friend, I'm here to help out. Because you have many, many options around Greater Fort Lauderdale for ringing in 2011. Like, for example, the New Year's Eve Downtown Celebration. Always a good time.

This free annual Fort Lauderdale event takes place on SW 2^nd Street. It's said to be among Florida's largest New Year celebrations too. Family activities begin early, running from 3pm until 8. There's music for the adult crowd after 8pm, along with fireworks and a big countdown to the New Year. Not in the mood for a massive party? Many of our local restaurants feature special evenings, including Timpano and SoLita, Trina and Truluck's. How about listening to a legendary rock band? The Beach Boys play the Hard Rock Live on Friday night, beginning at 10:30pm. Ticket prices start at $59. All the clubs over at the Hard Rock complex will be revved up for the night, of course: Opium, Passion, Pangaea and Gryphon and the others. You can find out more about any of these ideas at http://sunny.org/newyears. Or you simply can improvise, whether you're on your own or with family or friends. The beach is a terrific spot to see in another year, don't you think? Perhaps a busy beach with places to eat and drink such as Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood. Or maybe a quiet beach where you can feel closer to nature such as Dania Beach or Pompano Beach. The main thing to remember is that you're welcoming 2011 here in South Florida. That's pretty special in itself, no matter what you do or don't do. People call this paradise for a reason. Just ask the folks in Boston or NYC right about now. Wherever you end up, I hope you have a great New Year's holiday - and a healthy, joyful 2011. Happy New Year!

Even our cold snaps are warm. Warm, at least, by the standards of most winter cold snaps you hear about anywhere else. Not only are they warm, they're also sunny. And full of flowers. I hopped in my Mini Cooper today around mid-morning - and no, I didn't open the sunroof. The air felt nippy by South Florida norms with the temperature in the low 40s. That was fine with me. Judging by the expressions I noticed during my little outing, most other folks seemed to feel much the same. The locals anyway and some tourists too, I suspect. Many of us welcome these unusual bursts of brisk weather and I found evidence of that again on my drive south along A1A. Lots of runners happily jaunted through the a.m. chill. Walkers ambled among the rollerbladers and the bicyclists. Grins of some sort were on many of their faces.

I stopped at my favorite spot in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea for a doughnut and coffee, then sat outside in the brilliant, cloudless sunlight to eat. The Sky Wall there looked pale blue in comparison to the real sky, this huge painted mural doing a poor imitation today of South Florida's crystalline atmosphere.

The courtyard's palm trees and pink hibiscus flowers appeared only a little out of place in the tropical cooldown. Even during our colder periods, the flowers always remain on some bushes and trees. I could feel the sun's warmth through my black leather jacket and I watched a maintenance man taking off his own jacket as I walked back to my car. A bit later I paused along the Fort Lauderdale beach. The sea seemed as clear as the sky, a light and chilly shade of jade green. Someone was rowing through the ocean on a paddleboard while another person challenged the modest breakers on a surfboard. The air temperature was approaching 50 by the time I arrived home, our highs expected to climb another 10 degrees or so today. Let me put that temperature in context. The current temp in New York City is 25 degrees as I write this blog ... and that also is the predicted high. See what I mean about South Florida's cold snaps? They're rarely very cold compared to other places. And they snap quickly. Our warmup is predicted to start tomorrow and by Wednesday we should return to the 70s. Meanwhile, locals like me get to dig out our turtlenecks and sweaters and talk to each other about the frigid weather. Brrrrr! Yeah, right. I can tell you this much for sure: If the thermometer somehow rocketed up to 50 today in New York, they'd all feel like wearing T-shirts and tank tops instead of overcoats and parkas.

If any time of year is romantic, this is it. Don't you think? The lights, the music, the food, the candles. That's as true in the tropics as in more traditional snowy settings. Around Greater Fort Lauderdale, there's a relaxed, charming ambience to be found whenever you're here. Casual chic, we like to call it. But during the holidays, South Florida takes on a different glow. With this romantic season in mind, then, I thought I'd offer one thought for a special pre-Christmas evening for two. Feel free to adapt and adjust as you like, of course. If nothing else, this may help stimulate your own ideas. To me, though, a sublime night with your significant other might begin at the beach. Maybe along the Hollywood Broadwalk or up in Deerfield Beach. Or right in the heart of everything on Fort Lauderdale's shorefront.

I'd suggest a walk to start it all off. You know, a hand-holding stroll by the sea to watch the moonrise. The holiday decorations at the beach will offer their own soft light as you talk and laugh together beneath the palm trees. Then perhaps a warming cocktail and hors d'oeuvres at a pretty café. More hand-holding is definitely encouraged here.

After this, why not hop in the car to find a pleasant neighborhood nearby for holiday light viewing? Every part of Broward County offers some residential section just right for this. If you're at the Broadwalk, for example, just head west a few blocks until you bump into homes - then slowly trundle through the streets looking for the best displays. Up in Deerfield? Then head south along A1A to see the elaborate lights in Hillsboro Beach. If you're around Fort Lauderdale, maybe try Victoria Park or Harbor Beach for starters. The main idea is to just cruise around, letting the steering wheel take you where it wants to go. Believe me, you'll find the lights you're looking for. Lights wound around palm trees, lights lining the edges of surfboards, lights strung among the bougainvillea leaves. Once you've taken in all the displays you care to see, I suggest a romantic dinner at that intimate place you both love. Some wine paired with a simple, memorable meal shared over laughter - then back to your home or hotel. You can take it from there. Just be sure to relax and get into the spirit. And have a great holiday weekend!

Sometimes the simple moments are the best moments. I've always found that to be true around the holidays. To me, candlelit evenings spent listening to good Christmas music are among the annual seasonal highlights. It doesn't matter to me if I do this with someone special or alone - I enjoy it either way. The same pleasure in simple moments applies when I'm out and about during the holidaytime. I love walking through the malls, noticing all the decorations, poking my head into shops and just generally soaking up the Christmas cheer. Las Olas Boulevard is another of my favorite places between Thanksgiving and the New Year. The other day I savored one of those simple holiday moments during an impromptu visit to Las Olas ... and unexpectedly found just the gift I was looking for too.

I'd been chained to my desk all week and really wanted to get out for a while. So I drove to Las Olas, popped in to see a friend on the street, then headed to a coffee shop. The boulevard was humming with determined shoppers mixed among groups of tourists - South Florida visitors who were obvious in their shorts and flip-flops when the rest of us wore light jackets.

Walking toward the coffee house, I bumped into another old friend I hadn't seen in a long while. We hugged and chatted for several minutes, making plans for a pre-New Year get together. I needed a unique present for my girlfriend and decided now to browse through some of the boutique stores on Las Olas. I didn't feel rushed or pressured, mind you - just looking. Hmmm. That's when I came across something that seemed, well, almost perfect. Maybe. I still had time and, as things turned out, I waited two more days before going back to buy the gift. Just then, I only wanted to wander down the street among the glittering displays to finally get that coffee. I sat at an outside table, ordering a cappuccino, sipping it slowly in the late afternoon light. No schedules, no cellphone calls, no emails. Only this simple moment on a lovely street during a charming holiday. It was my own Christmas on Las Olas. I could see a small clocktower illuminated by the day's last burst of sunlight. It was reflecting the hour back to me, a reminder that I still had things to do that day. But for a moment longer, I lingered at the café. Thinking back on it, I feel sure that I must have been smiling.

South Florida offers its own holiday gifts. I'm not talking about the kind of things you buy at a store. Of course, there's more than enough shopping around here to pick up anything you want for family and friends. The malls and strip retail centers are jammed right now, as you know if you've driven by one of them recently. But no, I mean the other type of gifts, the events and activities that our area provides for visitors and locals during this time of the year. Sometimes these holiday celebrations come with a small price of admission, sometimes they're free. Fun stuff. Wacky stuff. But almost always family stuff too. Like, for starters, Santa on the Beach. Just the name is enough to make you smile.

On December 20, Santa and his hard-working elf corps arrive on the Fort Lauderdale beach a couple blocks below Las Olas Boulevard to spread cheer on their way north. Well, all the way north to Sunrise Boulevard anyway. They saunter up the sand, passing out candy canes and other holiday goodies on their happy way. Kinda cool.

At the Village at Gulfstream Park, you can check out the Symphony in Lights - a program of dancing, computer-operated lights choreographed to holiday music by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Or ride a horse-drawn carriage around Gulfstream Park on Friday, Saturday or Sunday evenings. Like the light show, the carriage tour is free. Unlike the light show, it's first come, first served. One of South Florida's most delightful holiday traditions will cost you between $10 - $13 per car depending on the day of the week. But it's well worth it. The Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek is an attraction you actually drive through and this year it's bigger than ever before. You roll very slowly among three miles of lighted holiday displays, huge animated deals along with Christmas trees spread through the route. This isn't just for the kiddies either. Years ago, I took my parents to the Holiday Fantasy of Lights and they loved it. There's so much of all this fun, wacky, family stuff going on that I can't get into it all. Many communities have their own special traditions that you can learn about by contacting your closest city hall. You also can look on this website for ideas: http://www.sunny.org/holidays/. As I write today's blog, we have exactly 10 days until Christmas and 17 days until 2011. More than enough time, surely, for you to unwrap at least one of South Florida's seasonal gifts. 

I sat by the ocean this morning, thinking about Christmas. It was cool and crisp with full sun. The sea was an almost iridescent aquamarine rippled by a persistent breeze. Just lovely. Reminders of the season were all up and down A1A, including the large lighted signs that wish everyone "Happy Holidays from the Fort Lauderdale Beach." I always like those. The Winterfest Boat Parade was another success this past weekend, floating us into the heart of our holiday time. Many other local events and attractions are coming or already in full swing. I'll tell you about some of these in the days ahead. But for now ... well, as I said, I sat watching the waves this morning and thinking about Christmas. Specifically, about Christmas in South Florida. I've experienced 22 of them now and still never get bored with the oddity of holiday decorations on palm trees - the oddity and the charm.

As I looked out at the water, I also thought about a very good friend of mine who sailed from Port Everglades yesterday on a one-week holiday cruise. He enjoys going to sea with his girlfriend during this period and clearly my buddy's travel preferences are not unusual. When I drove over the 17^th Street bridge I counted five large cruise ships in Fort Lauderdale preparing to leave on their own seasonal voyages later today. Remember, that's on a Monday morning, not the weekend when multiple ships are more common in this busy port. Impressive.

Christmas cruising sounds delightful. I've taken a couple of day cruises during December, though never a true holiday cruise. But I'd like to try it some year. I know that the major cruise lines go all out with holiday decorations and foods, everything from grand towering Christmas trees in the ship lobby to sweet holiday cocktails in the bars. They try to make the ship feel warm and homey and festive. I have heard that some folks schedule an annual holiday cruise, taking the whole family on a merry little tour around the Caribbean. I suspect at least a few bookings may yet be available on certain lines for 2010 if you check with a travel agent soon. I don't know for sure. But this year or next or whenever you may go, a cruise must feel like a relaxing, slightly decadent way through the holidays. Until I get the chance to sample it myself, I'm quite content with the opportunity to sit by the South Florida sea during Christmastime. From any perspective, on land or on ship, the Atlantic Ocean is dramatic at this time of year - and in its own way, perfect for celebrating a season intended to lift our spirit.

Brooke Burke is grand marshal for this year's Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. Brooke Burke also happens to be one of the most gorgeous women on the planet. If you don't agree with this simple statement of truth, I suspect that you are either:

A) blind or B) blind. I'm teasing, of course. But I do think her presence should make the 2010 edition of Greater Fort Lauderdale's annual holiday extravaganza especially ... uhm, gorgeous. What can I say? Well, first I should probably clarify something about me, even for regular readers of this blog. I'm not the sort of person who gets silly over every pretty face on TV or in the movies. I see celebrities and stars as what they are - celebrities and stars. I'm also not a fan of so-called reality television, or most of what's on television at all.

But I particularly dislike the whole reality TV trend. So when I tell you I watched much of the past two seasons of "Dancing With The Stars," in part because Brooke Burke was co-host, this should tell you something about her. 

And even if you couldn't care less about her looks, she's just coming off a few months on the nation's most popular TV show. So hey, ya gotta admit it's pretty cool that Brooke is here for the big Boat Parade. The event really is a huge deal and they've been doing it for decades. Bob Hope even included the Winterfest Boat Parade in a 1987 Christmas television special. If you've never been, you need to go for sure. It's a real part of the South Florida lifestyle, the kind of thing you have to see at least once to consider yourself an experienced veteran of Fort Lauderdale. Everything from megayachts to kayaks will be in the flotilla, each decked out in seasonal light displays of all types. From single strings of colored lights to elaborate mechanized Christmas scenes with sound effects and live dancers. The crowd is always in a good mood, with lots of kids and families and couples mingling and clapping and laughing. What more could you ask from a holiday event? I've been to the Boat Parade many times over the years and have a great time there. It begins again on the New River in Fort Lauderdale at 6:30pm, then heads east to the Intracoastal Waterway and north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. Find out more at http://www.winterfestparade.com/ or call 954-767-0686. Make sure to wave at the boats as they go by - and give Brooke Burke a warm welcome too, please. I'm hoping she'll want to come back.

This is one of those "only in South Florida" things. Where else ya gonna find a surfer dude Santa, right? Like I said, no place else but here in this part of the world. We may not have much of a pro football team these days, but hey, we do certainly have style. We've got pizzazz. We know how to turn the tropics into our own version of a holiday wonderland. Which brings us back to Santa Claus. It seems that the massive Sawgrass Mills outlet mall, already one of Florida's major tourist attractions, didn't want to do the usual mall-Santa thing in 2010. No, they wanted their own Greater Fort Lauderdale twist. Enter Santa in a red tropical shortsleeve shirt cuffed with fake fur and velvety red Capri pants. And a pair of hiking boots.

If you think I'm joking, I'm not. Oh sure, Kris has the usual long white beard and the usual red hat. Some traditions are sacred after all, even in South Florida. But this surfin' Santa doesn't sit in the middle of some shopping mall hallway. He sits by the edge of the water at Sawgrass Mills, with surfboards and tropical vegetation around him. Just to emphasize the already obvious point.

The point, of course, is that Santa's very cool this year. Kudos to Sawgrass Mills for having the nerve to do something really different. Apparently this is the first shopping mall Santa Claus to suit up totally in nontraditional garb. But this unconventional take on Saint Nick is unusual in another way as well. Santa allows adults as well as kids to sit on his lap and explain what they want for Christmas. Hmmm. Anyway, I for one think this whole thing is pretty clever. And fun. Down here among the coconuts, the holidays become more than a little whimsical anyway. If you don't believe me, check out the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade next weekend. It starts in Fort Lauderdale around 6:30pm this coming Saturday, December 11. I'll tell you more about that terrific family event on Wednesday. But for now, well, I'm just saying. Because it gets a little wacky and all that wackiness can make for a very merry Christmas or Hanukkah or whatever else you may celebrate. Any place that wraps palm trees in twinkle lights can't be all bad. And when we dress a shopping mall Santa Claus in a surfer suit, we've crossed some kind of new boundary into delightfully nutty territory. Welcome to the holidays in South Florida! The best part is that it's only just begun.

People often forget about the fine art in and around Fort Lauderdale. That's too bad. A certain community to our south gets lots of attention from those interested in the art world, especially at this time of year. In truth, there's an awful lot of ... well, awful stuff in some of the major contemporary art shows. In my humble opinion anyway. But there is some quality work in galleries and museums here in Greater Fort Lauderdale. We have the delightful Grace Café, for instance, with its Purvis Young collection and the Artist's Eye Fine Art Gallery in Dania Beach. You can check out the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood and the Coral Springs Museum of Art. And of course, the major museum around these parts: Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale.

This institution is most definitely on the art world's radar screen, attracting big shows that have eluded Miami over the years. Those have included a huge traveling exhibit of King Tut artifacts, a memorable presentation that I enjoyed a few years ago. Now Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale is about to unveil another top quality exhibition.

If you follow important art shows, you'll want to mark this one down in your digital calendar for sure. Starting on January 29, Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale presents "Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art." The museum says this is among the largest Vatican collections of art and documents and historic objects to tour in North America. If you've ever visited the Vatican, you can imagine the kind of works they must have available for a show of this kind. I've been to the Vatican twice and think often about the art masterpieces I saw there - astounding, inspiring creations. The Sistine Chapel alone is worth the trip. There are no Michelangelo pieces in "Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art," apparently. But there are other masters such as Giotto and Il Guercino and Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who seems to have created half of the great art around Rome. You can expect to find paintings and sculpture along with mosaics and even Papal jewels in the Fort Lauderdale show. And gold and silver relics with bone fragments of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Now there's something you don't see everyday, eh? Really, though, this sounds to me like a chance to enjoy some artworks of rare significance and beauty. All of it arrives next month. Right now? As it happens, Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale's current exhibits include the drawings of an important contemporary artist - Tom Wesselmann, who helped invent Pop Art. Some folks may want you to think that all of South Florida's fine art is in Miami. But ya know what? It isn't.