Greater Ft Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Nov 30: Photo Ops: Part One

Well, I went to Christmas on Las Olas this week and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Everyone was in a great mood – even when six Rockettes showed up in full costume to make a bouncy announcement to the crowd and then left without dancing a step. Oh well. Most of us just laughed and moved on to soak up the festive atmosphere on the street, including all the gorgeous lights that will be on display every night through the New Year. The next afternoon, I went back to Las Olas for coffee at my favorite mid-day place. Stork’s, a relaxing spot if ever there was one. And as usual, about three or four groups of tourists stopped there to take photos. It never fails. Nearly every time I go to Stork’s, visitors to greater Fort Lauderdale can’t resist pausing at this café to take pictures.

I’m not sure you’ll find this image of Stork’s on a postcard sold along the beach. But it really is a lovely view of one of Fort Lauderdale’s many graceful canals. And so watching the tourists take pictures on Wednesday afternoon, I suddenly thought about the many other visitors who don’t stumble on that particular photo op. That’s why I’m going to tell you about it now. And from time to time, I’ll point out some other excellent places to snap photographs that you won’t find on a postcard rack somewhere. It’s wonderful to bring home that classic wide shot of the Fort Lauderdale beach. But why not capture some of the less obvious beauty too?

So let’s start this occasional tour of local photo opportunities by explaining why Stork’s is so appealing. The building itself is unusual – a European style that suggests Italy and glasses of Chianti with friends. There’s a comfortable, broad patio overlooking the canal, which is just west of SE 12th Avenue on Las Olas. A small footbridge crosses the canal and gives pedestrians a vantage point on the quiet scene. I often see the walkers suddenly pause and can almost hear them thinking, "Wow, this would be a terrific picture!" So they pose with their brother Bobby or their Aunt Myrtle or whoever. Sometimes they shoot close-ups of the red and purple bougainvillea that grow on each side of the water. There’s even an Italian gondola moored there, with rides available to the public. In the background, palm trees remind tourists they’re in Fort Lauderdale, not Venice. It’s a charming view of one little nook of this city. But you almost have to be on foot to recognize that charm. Bring your camera and check it out, maybe while on a nice long walk along Las Olas to see all those holiday decorations. If you happen to see me sitting at Stork’s, wave in my direction. I’ll give you a big smile for that photo.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Nov 26: A Light Touch

I put up my Christmas lights over the weekend. Inside my condo, every room has something seasonal – a large red bow here, a velvet garland there, a string of lights somewhere else. Some of the decorations will be visible to neighbors outside, including a pine garland of lights I strung up on my patio. I mentioned this to someone on Saturday, who replied, “You decorate?!” To which I answered, “Always do! I love celebrating any season – hey, I drink mint juleps on Derby Day!” And it’s true. Life seems too short to ignore any chance to laugh, get together with friends and embrace the special qualities of one time of the year or another. So when my friend asked, “You decorate?!” I immediately wanted to respond, “You don’t?!”

Luckily, I live in an area that seems to agree with my personal slant on this season. I was driving around quite a bit the past couple of days and noticed lots of lights and wreaths and garlands everywhere. On A1A in Fort Lauderdale, the large, graceful snowflake lights are mounted on streetside poles. Private homes and businesses are twinkling with light displays and many more will decorate in the week ahead. (I noticed the Casablanca Café, along the Fort Lauderdale beach, has an especially beautiful array of holiday lights this year.) Then there’s downtown. Las Olas always offers visitors and residents a place to get in the spirit of the season.

And that brings me to Christmas on Las Olas, the holiday celebration that attracts delighted throngs each year. This time around, it’s on Tuesday night, November 27, starting just before 6 p.m. They’ve been doing this thing for 42 years and pretty much know how to throw a good street party by now. It’s very much a celebration for the whole family. But Christmas on Las Olas also is the kind of event you can enjoy with a group of friends, as a couple – or just by yourself. And it’s free. Carolers sing, bell ringers ring and Santa ho-hos a lot. The lights downtown are more impressive this year than ever and there’s a snow mountain to play on and, no kidding, the Rockettes will even perform. Look for these highstepping dancers at the 6th Avenue stage near the Cheesecake Factory at 5:50 p.m. They’re, uhm, kicking off the event. Sorry. Anyway, if you’re not getting that holiday feeling yet, Christmas on Las Olas should do the trick. And if you are feeling it, then you’ll be able to mingle with thousands of other folks who want to celebrate the season too. It’s a great evening and might just inspire you to put up those home holiday decorations of your own. I recommend some large red bows to emphasize your enthusiasm for the season. Plus, they’ll drive your non-decorating friends nuts.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Nov 21: Tourists & Locals: A Primer

It is one of life’s great mysteries. At least it is if you live in South Florida. You’re walking down the street, you see someone you don’t know – and you go, “Hmmm, I wonder …” Or you’re seated next to a couple at a restaurant and you look over and ask yourself, “Could they be …” The question you’re asking yourself, of course, basically is this: “Are they tourists? Or locals?” This is important stuff down here. Tourists must quickly decide if they’re getting directions to the Intracoastal Waterway from some guy who really lives in Fort Lauderdale. Or from some smart aleck dude just visiting here from Des Moines. Locals must quickly decide if they’re giving directions to the Intracoastal Waterway to some lost dude from Des Moines. Or to some smart aleck from Fort Lauderdale. You see the dilemma.

I was thinking about all this today because the obvious difference between tourists and locals only becomes apparent about this time of year. This isn’t an infallible system, but then what is? Still, there is a rational method for making judgments about this critical question. And in the giving spirit of the holiday season, I offer my observations to tourists and locals alike. Here is the secret: Just look at the way the person is dressed when the temperature dips below 75 degrees. That’s the giveaway. The clothes really do proclaim the man. Or woman.

When it’s below 75, locals bundle up in their light sweaters and heavy jeans. They wear boots and longsleeve shirts or blouses over t-shirts. If the thermometer plunges much below 69 degrees, they pull out those old turtlenecks and sport coats and leather jackets. To local residents, anything below 69 feels like an Arctic blast and offers them a good chance to enjoy the winter clothes at last. On the other hand, tourists wear shorts and bathing suits during these same times. They air out their white skin in those new sandals and tank tops and flowery shirts. To out-of-town visitors, anything above 50 degrees feels like tropical weather and offers them a good chance to enjoy the summer clothes again. And that is how you tell the tourists from the locals. One of life’s mysteries solved for you just like that, at no cost. Oh and one more tip: If they are wearing black socks with their sandals, they’re from Germany. Or some such place. Just don’t ask me how you can tell the tourists from the locals when the temperature is above 75 degrees. Darned if I can figure it out.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Nov 19: Festival of Trees

It’s the season again. Thanksgiving is nearly here. The wreaths and the lights are out of their cardboard storage boxes. Santa already is making kids cry at the mall. And we’re all wondering who we can cross off our holiday card list this year. It is a beautiful time. Well, yes, actually it is a beautiful time. Sure, there are the obligations and the overeating and the overspending and all that. But there also are the delightful parties and the magical lights and the beautiful music to enjoy. I was reminded of this on Sunday at the Galleria Mall, where there’s a gorgeous display of holiday trees right now. And I do mean right now. As in, “this week only, folks.”

If you go to the mall, it’s worth a trip to the third floor. Head toward Saks Fifth Avenue and hang a right. I found it behind Santa, who really was making some poor kid cry at that moment. But then I looked up and I was like, “Wow! What’s all this?” I learned that it’s called the “Festival of Trees.” Put on in association with the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale, this event helped start my own holiday season with a smile.

For one thing, it was so unexpected. For another, it’s truly eye-catching. And it’s free. The trees occupy a sizable amount of floor space, twinkling in white and pink, sparkling in reds and golds and silvers. There are 40 trees that are seven feet tall and another 20 holiday trees that are four feet high. The tree collection is rounded out with a half dozen ten-footers. They’re all beautiful – hand decorated by people from local businesses, including florists and designers, as well as members of Beaux Arts, a group that supports the Museum of Art. In addition, there’s a large store with dozens of equally lovely wreaths, topiaries and gingerbread villages. It’s charming. And they’re all for sale. But the festival ends next Sunday, November 25. So check it out now if you can. This is a great kickoff to the many other holiday events that will take place in Fort Lauderdale over the next few weeks. I’ll be telling you more about all of that. In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Eat some cranberry sauce for me.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Nov 15: East to Weston

The Fort Lauderdale area keeps changing. For the better. Every time I turn around, there’s some new restaurant getting raves in the newspaper food section. That happened just today – a place near my home in Dania Beach that got high marks from the restaurant critic. Part of Fort Lauderdale’s continual change is the fast-growing number of fine hotels. The Atlantic has been here for a while, but we also have the new Hilton on the Fort Lauderdale beach. And the St. Regis is a world-class hotel not far from the Hilton, with a spectacular bar and wonderful restaurant that have been attracting many locals. Other hotels are coming soon, including a new W that looks like it should be beautiful.

But I don’t mean to suggest that all the new hotels are filling a vacuum. We’ve had many excellent hotels in this community for years. One of those is the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa on A1A in Hollywood. The old original Diplomat had been a classic celebrity stomping ground for decades. This new version is massive, with enormous open spaces, nine restaurants, a golf course and more. I’d always heard good things about it from friends. But even though this resort is only a few miles south and east of my home, I’d never stopped to check out the Westin Diplomat. Until very recently.

I really don’t know why I hadn’t found a reason to see this hotel before now. But a few days ago, a friend asked me to lunch and suggested the sports bar there. This happened on one of those great, cool, sunny days and the thought of sitting on the Intracoastal sipping iced tea was appealing. So we parked ourselves at a waterside table at Rivals, as the restaurant is named. The food was good and the setting was ideal. After hanging there for an hour or so, we walked around the hotel. The grand lobby features a small forest of live palm trees and leads to a gorgeous pool. And a very unusual one – in two levels, with a window in the top pool to entertain the swimmers below. The pool is also right on the beachfront, directly overlooking the sea. I want to head back to the Westin Diplomat soon, maybe to go dancing at the hip Nikki Marina club. Or to try dining at Aizia, the hotel’s new Asian-themed restaurant. Or maybe just to chill out with a drink at Rivals. Whatever. There may be some terrific new hotels in town these days, and some others on the way. But the Westin Diplomat is a reminder that there have been plenty of high-quality places to stay around here for quite a while.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Nov 12: Sunbirds

It was another weekend of perfect weather in South Florida. The sunny skies and cool temps have been so consistent for so long now that I actually decided to waste some of that perfection by sitting indoors at a movie on Sunday. (“American Gangster” – great film, by the way.) On the drive to the theater, a friend and I agreed that we had noticed the same thing over the past couple of weeks. “The snowbirds are coming back,” we said almost in unison. Their seasonal migration is part of the flux and flow of life in greater Fort Lauderdale. More cars with out-of-state plates are on the roads. Restaurant reservations become more important. Hotels and beaches buzz more busily than ever.

Of course, the summertime is becoming a busy period around here too. Tourists and locals soak up the sultry tropical summer lifestyle and the great bargains all over town. The growth in summer tourism looked pretty obvious to me this year, judging by what I saw on A1A. But there’s still a slower, islandy kind of pace to everyday life during the hot weather months. Now, though, the arrival of the cooler temperatures and the sun-seeking visitors and snowbirds signals the start of our liveliest season. South Florida becomes a refuge for people from all over the world who are escaping the dreary, the bitter, the damp, the snowy. The number of street festivals and top-name concerts and social soirees of all types jumps sharply. The return of the snowbirds is part of the reason for that.

Although I must say that the name given to this group of part-time South Florida residents strikes me as very odd. To me, a snowbird suggests a snow-loving fowl. A penguin, maybe, or some sort of Arctic tern. No, the folks who follow the sun every autumn from their northern homes to their southern homes should be called something else. “Sunbirds,” perhaps? I like that better. They are the hummingbirds among travelers, covering long distances in search of temperate warmth. These people empty their water pipes and lock the doors up there, then unlock their doors and roll up their storm shutters down here. I’m glad they’re back. Their presence is part of the wintertime vibe. And hey, as far as I’m concerned, they can call themselves whatever they want.

Friday, November 09, 2007

Nov 9: Just In Time

With only seven days left to enjoy another Dine Out Lauderdale bargain, I’m glad I didn’t wait any longer. On Thursday night, I finally made it to Fish – A Restaurant. I’ve wanted to try this place since it opened. I even included a recipe from the head chef in one of my blogs when Fish first appeared on the local dining scene. But for some reason, I hadn’t made it there before last night. Just in time to get another fabulous meal at exceptionally good prices.

Honestly, the deals in this dining promotion are amazing. My girlfriend and I each had an appetizer, entrée and dessert – total bill $70, plus tax and tip. A glance at the regular menu showed that our entrees alone would have cost more than that at everyday prices. The portions were generous. The service was very good. And the food was excellent. We couldn’t resist getting the same appetizer. The lobster bisque seemed the standout choice to us both so we decided to go for it. We were glad we did. The broth was rich without being overwhelming, creamy but with a sharp tang of sherry. For our entrees, I ordered the red curry shrimp, Gwendolyn got the avocado mahi-mahi. We shared tastes, of course, and both dishes really were delicious. Her fish was tender and moist, cooked perfectly. My shrimp came in a beautifully presented arrangement, split with tails up, tied with a scallion. They were huge shrimp, so meaty that the waitress gave me a steak knife to cut them. My meal also came with slices of fresh lotus root, something I wouldn’t have known without the benefit of Gwendolyn’s Chinese-American upbringing. She was impressed that Fish would use this traditional Chinese fruit. So was I.

For dessert, she had the trio of sorbet and I got a trio of my own: a square of key lime pie, a piece of lemon pie and a good-sized hunk of tiramisu. All of them were good, but we leaned toward the tiramisu on my plate and the chocolate sorbet on hers. We didn’t come close to finishing our desserts, both of us feeling more than stuffed by now. So we lingered in our secluded booth a while, just enjoying the ambience of the place. Fish is beautifully decorated in – what else? – a marine life motif. The lighting is subtle and romantic without taxing your eyesight to read the menu. We found the staff friendly and the whole experience entirely delightful. Now that we’ve found Fish, we definitely plan to go back. I want to try some of their other meals. But it’s going to be hard to stay away from that lobster bisque.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Nov 8: Gospel Music in November

Greater Fort Lauderdale has become the home for the preservation of gospel music. Thomas Dorsey, considered the father of gospel music, would be proud. Dorsey is best known for his work, beginning in the 1940’s and ‘50s, with renowned singer Mahalia Jackson and the hundreds of compositions which popularized what is now considered America’s heritage music. Interestingly, Dorsey’s blending of jazz and blues rhythms with Christian messages was not well-received, and he faced many personal and professional setbacks before making his mark on history.

Broward County has been making its mark for the past two years as home to the Dr. Bobby Jones International Gospel Industry Retreat, held twice a year in the spring and fall. The 21st bi-annual event, which opens Nov. 17 and runs through Nov. 21 at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa on Hollywood Beach, promises to be an artistic and educational gem of a showcase for professionals, youth, and audiences. The groundbreaking of the Gospel Complex for Preservation and Education in Lauderhill, west of downtown Fort Lauderdale will also be featured. The complex is positioned to become an international center for the celebration of gospel music.

As always, the retreat is drawing national attention with seminar classes, youth workshops, and television performances featuring major gospel stars, under the direction of Dr. Jones. Three TV tapings will be held Nov. 19th and 20th, and they are open to the public.

But this year, the spotlight is also on the Gospel Complex and its significance to the industry. A VIP golf tournament and fundraiser will be hosted by radio giant and philanthropist Tom Joyner and Donna Joyner. Ebony Magazine is sponsoring a reception for major performing artists to learn about the complex, as well as a gospel brunch with Mothers of NBA and NFL Players. Events are also planned to raise funds for the youth education and career development programs -a major component of the gospel music center’s plan. Industry insiders will come together for a series of discussions on ways in which they can become an integral part of the success of the complex, and a tour of area churches. On any given Sunday, a visitor to Greater Fort Lauderdale can find numerous English and Spanish-speaking congregations that feature traditional and contemporary threads of the tapestry Thomas Dorsey helped to create in his 60-year career.

One thing seems clear: The Gospel Complex will be a place where people can come to learn about the history of gospel music, and performers can share their love of the music with others. Dorsey, who died in 1993, would be proud; his early struggles were worthwhile.
--Kitty Oliver

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Nov 2: Dining Out, Dining In

Hard to believe it’s November. But here it is already. This weekend we’ll even change our clocks, falling back to an earlier autumn darkness. For some reason, all this made me think about eating. I’m already making plans to hit at least one more Dining Out Lauderdale restaurant before the promotion ends on November 15. If you’re not familiar with some of the wonderful deals available through Dining Out Lauderdale, this website has details for you. I love dining out, of course. To me, there’s nothing quite like the experience of savoring a long meal at a fine restaurant, especially with the right friends.

But sometimes dining in on takeout can be just as much fun. I’m a big fan of takeout food. And like many Americans, one of my favorite takeout choices is pizza. I mean, really – is there anything better to eat than pizza? You’ve got a terrific combination of grains (the crust), dairy (the cheese), vegetables (tomato sauce and veggie toppings) and even meat if you like. It is with tongue firmly in cheek that I suggest it’s a perfect meal of balanced nutrition. Even I can’t quite buy that argument. But a little pizza now and then never hurt anyone.

And so earlier this week I held an impromptu pre-Halloween pizza party at my place for four friends and ended up buying two large pies from my favorite spot – Anthony’s. Everybody has their own favorite pizza joint but a lot of people share my passion for Anthony’s. It’s even been repeatedly voted “best pizza” by local newspaper readers. Their secret is the kind of furiously hot coal-fired ovens they use, searing their pizzas at something like 800 degrees. The crust is thin and very well-done, to the point of being slightly burned. The sauce and toppings are flavorful and fresh and, well, the whole thing is just great. One of my friends the other night was from Milan, Italy and he’d never had Anthony’s before. When he took a bite, he just looked up and said, “This is very good.” Coming from him, I considered that high pizza praise. There now are five locations around Broward, from Fort Lauderdale to Weston to Pompano Beach. Just make sure you go to the right place: Anthony's Coal-fired Pizza. If you like good pizza, I think you’ll like Anthony’s. All I know is, if it’s good enough for my buddy from Milan, it’s good enough for me.