Canada Win Hockey Gold at Home in Vancouver Olympics VANCOUVER - With an overtime goal by Sidney Crosby, the Canadian men’s hockey team brought home the gold medal -- and a case of Molson’s Canadian lager for Canada’s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, paid for by Barack Obama. The U.S. president and Harper made a “friendly wager” on the gold medal game today that pitted the North American neighbors in the final event of the Vancouver Olympic Games. If the U.S. had defeated the hometown favorites, Harper would have suffered the added ignominy of having to buy Obama a case of Yuengling beer, with headquarters in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, said White House spokesman Nick Shapiro. Canada beat the U.S. 3-2, earning its eighth hockey gold medal. The game was extended after U.S. player Zach Parise scored in the last 24 seconds of regulation play. The last U.S. Olympic title came in 1980, when a group of college players upset the Soviet Union in a semifinal game that became known as the “Miracle on Ice.” The U.S. beat Finland for the gold.
Death toll in Chile earthquake passes 708 The death toll from Saturday's 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile has risen to 708, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said. Calling it an "unthinkable disaster," Bachelet said a "state of catastrophe" in the hardest-hit regions would continue, allowing for the quick restoration of order and speedy distribution of aid. Despite looting concerns in some areas, Bachelet said her government reached an agreement with the country's major supermarkets that would allow them to give away basic foodstuffs they have in stock to those affected by the quake. Thirty-six hours after the massive earthquake, distribution of electricity remained a key challenge, the president said. Chile has received many offers of international aid, and will accept the help that it needs, Bachelet said. "This will take a great effort from all sectors, public and private," she said. The armed forces would be available to help with security and the distribution of food, she added. The president said she hoped that the airport in Santiago, the capital, would reopen to private, public and commercial air traffic in the coming hours. The airline LAN Chile said that three flights left from Peru to Chile on Sunday, one of them landing in Santiago. These flights were not commercial, but were transporting Chileans stranded in Peru back to their country, LAN Chile Spokesman Roberto Davila told CNN en Español. The quake comes at a time of transition for Chile. President-elect Sebastian Piñera is slated to take office in March."The loss of life is the most painful," Piñera said via a Twitter message. "We will have a great challenge for reconstruction." The quake struck before dawn Saturday, toppling thousands of houses, affecting 2 million people and dealing a serious blow to one of Latin America's most stable economies. The Chilean Red Cross reported that some 500,000 homes suffered considerable damage as a result of the quake. More than 90 aftershocks had been recorded, ranging from 4.9 to 6.9 in magnitude. Of the 708 reported dead as of Sunday afternoon, 541 had died in Chile's Maule region, and 64 in the Bio Bio region, both in south-central Chile. Some 103 people died in other areas. "I am certain that these are numbers that will continue to grow," Bachelet said. In Concepcion, the capital of the Bio Bio region, video showed collapsed walls of buildings, now exposing twisted pieces of rebar. Whole sides of buildings were sheared off, and at least two structures caught fire. Emergency teams rescued 30 people from one collapsed building. The country's major north-south highway was severed at multiple points; and the capital city's airport was closed after its terminal sustained major damage. In the city of Constitucion, more than 60 bodies were found and placed in a makeshift morgue inside the gym of a local school, a federal police officer said. Buildings lay in rubble, bridges and highway overpasses were toppled and roads buckled like crumpled paper. Mangled cars were strewn on highways, many of them resting on their roofs. "The television fell, all the decorations fell. Everything you can imagine was on the floor," Santiago resident Juan Vivanco told CNN en Español and other TV networks covering the quake.. Vivanco said he waited until the shaking stopped before climbing down 17 flights of stairs to exit his apartment building. At his home, as with many others in the capital, the building exterior showed few, if any, signs of damage, while inside, things were a mess. Saturday's quake was 700 to 800 times stronger than the 7.0-magnitude quake that struck Haiti in January, leaving 212,000 people dead and more than a million homeless. It also occurred at a greater depth -- 21.7 miles -- compared to the shallow 8.1-mile depth of the Haiti quake, which contributed to much of the damage there. Coastal Chile has a history of deadly earthquakes, with 13 temblors of magnitude 7.0 or higher since 1973, the U.S. Geological Survey said. As a result, experts said, newer buildings are constructed to help withstand the shocks. One major concern on Sunday was security, said the mayor of Concepcion, Jacqueline Van Rysselberghe. Desperate residents scrounged for water and supplies inside empty and damaged supermarkets. On Sunday morning, authorities resorted to tear gas and water cannons in some instances to disperse looters. Looting was being done not just by desperate residents, but by others who saw an opportunity to steal, Van Rysselberghe said. In addition to food and emergency supplies, looters were taking from appliance and electronics stores, she said. "They are robbing everything," she said, asking for a strong military response in her city to restore calm. Some small business owners had resorted to protecting their shops with rifles and shotguns, and the current police force was inadequate, she said. For its part, the city government was distributing water from the central plaza, Van Rysselberghe said. Saturday's epicenter was just a few miles north of the largest earthquake recorded in the world: a magnitude 9.5 quake in May 1960 that killed 1,655 and unleashed a tsunami that crossed the Pacific.
Chile has begun to count the cost of its deadly 8.8 magnitude earthquake as nations around the Pacific eased their fears of a devastating tsunami. The quake, on Saturday morning, killed at least 300 people - 90% of them in their homes. It is feared the damage may cost tens of billions of dollars. One major rescue effort is in the city of Concepcion, where dozens are feared trapped in a collapsed apartment block. The Pacific-wide alert for a tsunami in the wake of the quake has been lifted. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said that two million people had been affected by the earthquake. The 8.8 quake is one of the biggest ever recorded and the largest to hit Chile in 50 years. Many Chileans in affected areas have spent the first night since the earthquake outdoors, afraid to stay inside. In Concepcion, close to the epicentre, mayor Jacqueline van Rysselberghe said dozens of people were trapped in the collapsed apartment block. "Time is of the essence to save the people inside this building," she said. Rescue coordinator Commander Marcelo Plaza said: "We spent the whole night working, smashing through walls to find survivors. The biggest problem is fuel, we need fuel for our machinery and water for our people." National television showed pictures of people removing goods from supermarkets in Concepcion, Chile's second city, before police arrived to clear the crowd with tear gas and water cannon. The situation there has been described as critical. Ms van Rysselberghe said Concepcion had as yet received no food or other aid from Santiago and that it was urgently needed. Strong aftershocks have continued to rock Santiago and other areas. The epicentre of the quake was 115km (70 miles) north-east of Concepcion and 325km south-west of Santiago. Chilean officials and ministers are still trying to come to terms with the scale of the disaster. Interior Minister Edmundo Perez Yoma said it was difficult to give precise figures of a "catastrophe of immense proportions". One US risk assessor, Eqecat, put the value of the damage at between $15bn and $30bn (£9.8bn-£19.6bn) or 10-15% of gross domestic product. About 1.5 million homes have been damaged and police patrols have been stepped up to deter looters.
Most of the collapsed buildings were of older design - including many historic structures. About 90% of the historic centre of the town of Curico was destroyed. Many roads and bridges across the affected area were damaged or destroyed. Santiago airport was damaged and remains closed. Jose Abumohor, of Chile's national emergency centre, said efforts were already under way to restore public services. "The aim is as soon as possible that we manage to reach a state of normality," he said. Mr Abumohor said the metro system would soon be working in Santiago and other transport services were slowly returning to normal. Roads were passable, although with diversions. Efforts were under way to get aid to those who needed it, with relief supplies essential for the Juan Fernandez islands, where at least five people were killed as tsunamis hit. The coastal town of Talcahuano, badly damaged by tsunami waves, is said to be the worst affected. Organisation of the reconstruction effort will soon pass to Chile's new president, Sebastian Pinera, who takes office in two weeks. "It's going to be a very big task and we're going to need resources," he said. Chile has so far not requested aid despite offers of assistance from the US, China, the EU, the UN and others. Foreign Minister Mariano Fernandez said Chile did not want aid offers to be "a distraction", adding: "Any aid that arrives without having been determined to be needed really helps very little." Economic analysts say the quake will have a deep impact on Chile's economy, with the peso weakening in the short term and a large cost for rebuilding. However, Chile could benefit in the long term from an economic boost in the reconstruction effort. Alberto Ramos of Goldman Sachs told Reuters: "The Chileans fortunately have the best managed economy in the hemisphere and will be able to deal with this terrible adversity." Evacuation orders Meanwhile fears of a devastating tsunami across the Pacific receded on Sunday. Japan has maintained an alert, issuing evacuation orders for 320,000 people around the coast. However, it downgraded its alert from major to normal - meaning waves of two metres were expected rather than three. About 50 Pacific countries and territories had issued tsunami alerts. French Polynesia and Tahiti were among those hit by high waves, but no casualties have been reported. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on Sunday lifted its Pacific-wide alert. Warning systems across the Pacific have improved since the 2004 Indonesia quake sparked a tsunami that killed nearly 250,000 people.
JOURNALISM, MASS MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT COURSE
CURSO DE PERIODISMO, GERENCIA DE MEDIOS DE COMUNICACION E INDUSTRIAS DEL ESPECTACULO (PRODUCCION TV Y ARTISTAS) OUTLINE
Lectured in Spanish. Readings: bilingual Spanish & English
Dictado en español. Lecturas, bilingües (Español / Inglés)
Starts on Saturday March 6, 2010 - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) 6-week course: 5-week classes, 1-weekend project presentation
Curso comienza el sábado 6 de marzo del 2010 – 9:00 a.m. a 1:00 p.m.
Location: UNO SPANISH SERVICES / EDUCATION CENTRE Street: 79 King Street East, Unit 1 City/Town: Toronto, ON
1. Analysis and Communication / Análisis y Comunicación
2. Advertising and Marketing Communication / Comunicación de Mercadeo y Publicidad
3. Brand Management / Lovemarks / Gerencia de Marcas
4. Consumer Behavior / Comportamiento del Consumidor
5. Sports, Music & Entertainment Marketing and Management / Gerencia y Mercadeo de Espectáculos, Música y Deportes
6. Global Knowledge Economy, Digital & Online Media / Economía del Conocimiento Global, Medios Digitales y en Línea
7. Leadership, Motivation and Power / Liderazgo, Motivación y Poder
8. International Media Management / Gerencia Internacional de Medios de Comunicación
9. Media 2010 – The Next Generation / Medios de Comunicación 2010, La Nueva Generación
10. Negotiation Analysis and Behavior / Análisis y Comportamiento de Negociaciones
11. New Product & Brand Development / Desarrollo de Nuevas Marcas y Productos
12. Strategic Management in Entertainment and Media Industries / Gerencia Estratégica en las Industrias del Entretenimiento y Medios de Comunicación
13. Business Plan Development / Desarrollo de Plan de Negocios
14. Student Project Presentation / Presentaciones de Proyectos de los Estudiantes
Out of class: Go visit a mega-chain bookstore, TV station, music studio, newspaper or magazine and watch movie “TBD”
Course based on media, communications, and entertainment management curriculum from Catholic University of Chile, MIT of Massachusetts, Columbia University, New York, and University of California (UCLA). Materials from Institute of the Press, SIP – IAPA, Miami, Style Handbook, The American Press Institute, and El Financiero of Mexico Newspaper.
We will issue a Certificate of Completions after successful marking and project presentations. JUAN CARLOS CORDERO Chairman & CEO Caminchi Bridge Corporation A Canadian federally incorporated corporation Tel. 416-866-8811 - Cell. 647-262-2804Email: caminchicanada@yahoo.com, caminchicanada@yahoo.com, juancarloscordero@caminchigroup.com TORONTO - BUDAPEST - MOSCOW - DUBAI - SANTIAGO - BUENOS AIRES - BOGOTA - NEW YORK - MIAMI Skype: jccordero28 - IM: laestrellanews Web: www.unoss.ca
Huge quake hits Chile and tsunami threatens Pacific
A devastating earthquake struck Chile early Saturday, toppling homes, collapsing bridges and plunging trucks into the fractured earth. A tsunami set off by the magnitude-8.8 quake threatened every nation around the Pacific Ocean — roughly a quarter of the globe.
Interior Minister Edmundo Perez Yoma said the most powerful quake to hit the country in a half-century killed at least 82 people, but the death toll was rising quickly.
In the town of Talca, just 65 miles (105 kilometers) from the epicenter, Associated Press journalist Roberto Candia said it felt as if a giant had grabbed him and shaken him.
The town's historic center, filled with buildings of adobe mud and straw, largely collapsed, though most of those were businesses that were not inhabited during the 3:34 a.m. (1:34 a.m. EST, 0634 GMT) quake. Neighbors pulled at least five people from the rubble while emergency workers, themselves disoriented, asked for information from reporters.
Many roads were destroyed, and electricity, water and phone lines were cut to many areas — meaning there was no word of death or damage from many outlying areas.
In the Chilean capital of Santiago, 200 miles (325 kilometers) northeast of the epicenter, a car dangled from a collapsed overpass, the national Fine Arts Museum was badly damaged and an apartment building's two-story parking lot pancaked, smashing about 50 cars whose alarms rang incessantly.
Experts warned that a tsunami could strike anywhere in the Pacific, and Hawaii could face its largest waves since 1964 starting at 11:19 a.m. (4:19 p.m. EST, 2119 GMT), according to Charles McCreery, director of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
Tsunami waves were likely to hit Asian, Australian and New Zealand shores within 24 hours of the earthquake. The U.S. West Coast and Alaska, too, were threatened.
A huge wave swept into a populated area in the Robinson Crusoe Islands, 410 miles (660 kilometers) off the Chilean coast, President Michelle Bachelet said, but there were no immediate reports of major damage.
Bachelet had no information on the number of people injured. She declared a "state of catastrophe" in central Chile.
"We have had a huge earthquake, with some aftershocks," she said from an emergency response center. She said Chile has not asked for assistance from other countries, and urged Chileans not to panic.
"The system is functioning. People should remain calm. We're doing everything we can with all the forces we have. Any information we will share immediately," she said.
Powerful aftershocks rattled Chile's coast — 24 of them magnitude 5 or greater and one reaching magnitude 6.9 — the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
In Santiago, modern buildings are built to withstand earthquakes, but many older ones were heavily damaged, including the Nuestra Senora de la Providencia church, whose bell tower collapsed. A bridge just outside the capital also collapsed, and at least one car flipped upside down.
Several hospitals were evacuated due to earthquake damage, Bachelet said.
Santiago's airport will remain closed for at least 24 hours, airport director Eduardo del Canto said. The passenger terminal suffered major damage, he told Chilean television in a telephone interview. TV images show smashed windows, partially collapsed ceilings and pedestrian walkways destroyed.
Santiago's subway was shut as well and hundreds of buses were trapped at a terminal by a damaged bridge, Transportation and Telecommunications Minister told Chilean television. He urged Chileans to make phone calls or travel only when absolutely necessary.
Candia was visiting his wife's 92-year-old grandmother in Talca when the quake struck.
"Everything was falling — chests of drawers, everything," he said. "I was sleeping with my 8-year-old son Diego and I managed to cover his head with a pillow. It was like major turbulence on an airplane."
In Concepcion, 70 miles (115 kilometers) from the epicenter, nurses and residents pushed the injured through the streets on stretchers. Others walked around in a daze wrapped in blankets, some carrying infants in their arms.
Concepcion, Chile's second-largest city, is 60 miles (95 kilometers) from the ski town of Chillan, a gateway to Andean ski resorts that was destroyed in a 1939 earthquake.
The quake also shook buildings in Argentina's capital of Buenos Aires, 900 miles (1,400 kilometers) away on the Atlantic side of South America.
Marco Vidal, a program director for Grand Circle Travel who was traveling with a group of 34 Americans, was on the 19th floor of the Crown Plaza Santiago hotel when the quake struck.
"All the things start to fall. The lamps, everything, was going on the floor," he said. "I felt terrified."
Cynthia Iocono, from Linwood, Pennsylvania, said she first thought the quake was a train.
"But then I thought, `Oh, there's no train here.' And then the lamps flew off the dresser and my TV flew off onto the floor and crashed."
The quake struck after concert-goers had left South America's leading music festival in the coastal city of Vina del Mar, but it caught partiers leaving a disco.
"It was very bad. People were screaming. Some people were running, others appeared paralyzed. I was one of them," Julio Alvarez told Radio Cooperativa.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center called for "urgent action to protect lives and property" in Hawaii, which is among 53 nations and territories subject to tsunami warnings.
"Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated. It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts," the warning center said. It did not expect a tsunami along the west of the U.S. or Canada.
The largest earthquake ever recorded struck the same area of Chile on May 22, 1960. The magnitude-9.5 quake killed 1,655 people and left 2 million homeless. The tsunami that it caused killed people in Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines and caused damage to the west coast of the United States.
Acura, the automotive luxury brand, presented their latest model, the all-new 2010 Acura ZDX four-door sports coupe, in Miami on Thursday, February 25th, at the W South Beach. The event launched a seven-city tour featuring the vehicle and the works of renowned photographer Erik Madigan Heck. The Acura ZDX was designed with as much creative freedom as Erik Madigan Heck’s works - making the partnership between the artist and Acura a natural fit. At 26-years-old, Heck is an established fine art and fashion photographer who has shot the collections of the world’s finest designers including Valentino Garavani, Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier and Helmut Lang. Last night, I had the opportunity to interview Heck.
MBS: What is your favorite type of photography?
Heck: Well, I shoot mostly fashion photography but for this event, I wanted to show a balance between some of my landscape and figurative work. I also segmented the pieces based on color.
MBS: How did your partnership with the new Acura ZDX come together? Heck: The concept for this new car was developed by a team of young designers (at the new Acura Design Studio in Torrance, California) who are all around my age. They were looking for a similar artist to represent their newest creation. In that respect, it works really well.
MBS: Have you ever been in Miami and is there anything you're looking forward to experiencing?
Heck: Never been in Miami! I haven't been able to explore it as much as I would like to but I definitely love the beautiful weather.
MBS: What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
Heck: I did a shoot for a Belgian fashion designer, Ann Demeulemeester, and I was a huge fan of hers for years. Ann's clothing is very expensive and she is a highly sought after designer. But, one day I did a photoshoot for her and she absolutely loved it so we became friends. It was like becoming friends with your hero. It was awesome!
Erik Madigan Heck is also the Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director of Nomenus Quarterly, a hybrid online/print publication that features the world’s most influential artists, institutions and fashion designers. To see more of Heck's work, you can visit his websites: http://maisondesprit.com/ or http://www.nomenusquarterly.com/. Beware: his work is AMAAAAZZZING (I think he's MY new hero)!!!
After my chat with Heck, I returned to the exhibition where a crowd surrounded the new 2010 Acura ZDX. While some guests mingled, others couldn't help but sit inside the stunning coupe-like vehicle to see the panoramic glass roof. If you're interested in viewing this car yourself, then note that these Acura ZDX Launch Parties featuring Erik Madigan Heck will travel from Miami to Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, D.C., culminating in New York City on April 8, 2010. I definitely see why Acura scheduled Miami as their first stop on the tour!
Guests at the 2010 Acura ZDX launch event in Miami
If you're looking to immerse yourself in Miami's rich culture, you must attend Viernes Culturales (or Cultural Fridays) in the historic Little Havana neighborhood of Miami (8th St. SW between 14th and 17th Avenues). For those who didn't buy tickets to attend the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, this is certainly the place to be tomorrow (plus it's FREE)! Viernes Culturales showcases the talented visual artists and entertainers of our city. Once a month, visitors and tourists flock to this festival to experience an evening of culture highlighted by the diverse flavors of our Latino community.
On Friday, February 26th, check out some vibrant outdoor musical performances along the sidewalks of Calle Ocho or admire the exhibits presented by local artists. There will also be cuisine tastings at participating restaurants as well as an educational program hosted at the historic Tower Theatre. Free walking tours of Little Havana will also take place throughout the day. The event starts at 6:30 pm and will end by 11 pm. For more information on this festival, visit http://www.viernesculturales.org/. Enjoy the cool weather and have a wonderful weekend!
On February 25th, the Miami Fashion WeekFoundation will officially launch their March 2010 event by hosting a Kick-Off Party along with Tiffany & Co. Enjoy a fashion presentation by Miami’s most prestigious designers, delicacies prepared by local celebrity chefs, wine and champagne and a silent auction. During the party, there will also be a special performance by renowned pianist Julian De La Chica. Tickets are on sale for $100 with proceeds benefiting the Miami Fashion Week Foundation's scholarship fund. This foundation hosts a variety of fundraising events throughout the year to raise funds that will benefit the emerging designers and students studying fashion, photography, film and graphic design. The kick-off party will be held at the Gary Nader Fine Art (62 N.E. 27th Street, Wynwood Art District) from 7- 10 p.m. For more information on this event or to purchase your ticket online, visit http://www.miamifashionweek.com/.
It’s never too late to donate to Haiti while adding a fabulous shirt to your wardrobe. Make a charitable donation to the people of Haiti by purchasing your very own Saks Fifth Avenue "Fashion for Haiti"t-shirt. The shirt was designed by Peter Arnell and it features a block design with the words, “To Haiti With Love” along with a map of the country. A percentage of all profits will go toward the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, an organization raising money for the immediate relief and long-term recovery process of Haiti. Since each shirt costs $25, Saks will be making their own contribution to the American Red Cross. The sale begins tomorrow, February 23rd, when both men’s and women’s styles hit South Florida stores (available at Saks Fifth Avenue, 7687 N. Kendall Dr., Miami, 305.662.8655 and 9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour, 305.865.1100). To purchase your shirt online, visit http://bit.ly/dASuYq.
If you've never seen the Spam Allstars performing live, then you're missing a major source of Miami's sazon in your life! On Thursday, February 25th, the Spam Allstars are bringing their contagious beats to the Music Series at Bal Harbour Shops. To continue their weekly Cultural Series, Bal Harbour Village (9700 Collins Avenue) presents a complimentary outdoor concert featuring two performances by the eclectic band starting at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Blending their improvisational electronic elements and turntables with latin, funk, hip hop and dub, the Spam Allstars will energize your mind and body with their soulful sounds. After this event, join the Spam Allstars as they host their CD Release Party at Hoy Como Ayer(2212 SW 8th Street, Miami) where you can hear two sets from "Rumberos de la 8" live!! For more information about the band or to see their full schedule, check out http://www.spamallstars.com/. By the end of the night, you'll be dancing and singing along to their catchy lyrics. Enjoy the shows, xoxo
skirts aren't the only things getting shorter this season. Dare to bare your midriff, like our girl Rihanna, in a cropped top. Or use it as a layering piece if you aren't ready to expose your abs.
The Food Network officially kicks off their annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival on Thursday, February 25th. This is a national, star-studded, four-day event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Although most of the events have been sold out, you can still reserve your tickets for an educational wine seminar or a relaxing lunch over at Joe's Stone Crab.
Another event that has not been sold out is the "Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village" which takes place on Sunday, February 28th. This event actually features many of the chefs seen on the Food Network including Anthony Bourdain, Paula Deen, Emeril Lagasse, Guy Fieri and Daisy Martinez. Bring your friends and take a stroll through South Beach as you learn about the seductive, restorative power of inspired cuisine, excellent wines, and well-crafted spirits.
For a complete list of events or to purchase your tickets online, visit www.sobewineandfoodfest.com. Enjoy the festival and always remember to drink responsibly.
If you're addicted to her reality show, then don't miss your chance to meet the Millionaire Matchmaker herself, Patti Stanger, as she autographs her new book: "Become Your Own Matchmaker." On Saturday, February 20th, Patti will be in Miami to greet her fans and autograph copies of her latest guide to finding true love. This event will be hosted at Books & Books on South Beach (927 Lincoln Road) and it will start at 5 p.m. (to be eligible for an autograph: books must be purchased at the store). After Patti mingles with her readers, she will be making a cameo at SET Night Club to celebrate her book release with style. Ladies are encouraged to come out and look your sexiest because Patti may match you with your very own millionaire! Enjoy some house music in the main room with DJ John Cash or catch Mr. Sandman spinning hip hop in the upstairs VIP room. For those who didn't have much luck with love on Valentine's Day, this may be your big break!
Join the Autism Speaks Walk to change the future for all who struggle with autism! On Sunday, February 21st, you will be able to walk for a good cause at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne. Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a fun-filled, family friendly event that funds vital research to help understand the causes, prevention and treatments for autism. Every 20 minutes, another family receives the news that their child has autism. Whether you strive to join the new "Grand Club" (walkers that raise $1,000 or more) or you raise $10, you can make a difference in the lives of others! To participate in the walk, you may register as an individual or you can start a corporate, school or family team. This Sunday, registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the walk will kick-off at 10:00 a.m. For more information on this event, visit www.walk.autismspeaks.org or call (888) 777-6227 to request materials. Go out and enjoy the cool weather this weekend!
On February 12th, Casa Bikini welcomed the Miami International Boat Show by showcasing their latest collection at the Raleigh Hotel on South Beach. Andrea V. Amorosi, CEO of Casa Bikini (pictured above wearing black), attended the powerboat party along with her fabulous models who also happen to be the Florida Panther's Ice Dancers! Casa Bikini is an online boutique that carries exclusive Brazilian designer swimwear. Only the most fashion forward designers are featured on Casa Bikini's website which means every piece offers a great fit at an affordable price. Amorosi allows customers the opportunity to find the hottest Brazilian swimwear without traveling halfway around the world. If online shopping is not your cup of tea, then you can host your very own bikini party and Casa Bikini will gladly bring their swimsuits to you. This is an awesome way to reunite with your girlfriends while planning your upcoming Spring Break vacation. As demonstrated by the Panther's Ice Dancers, the Brazilian bikini is a sexy yet sophisticated swimsuit style that was popularized in Europe and South America where nudity is less taboo. However, Amorosi notes that "the demand for Brazilian bikinis has grown significantly in South Florida as modern day women are discovering the benefits of this unique Brazilian cut bottom." For those who may be hesitant to try a Brazilian bikini, the online boutique does offer swimsuit bottoms with more coverage. In a city that highly depends on swimwear, it is easy to see why Casa Bikini has been embraced by Miami beach-goers! To check out some of the boutique's most fashionable prints, you can look inside the pages of the official 2010 Panther's Ice Dancers Calendar. In the calendar, you'll find every dancer wearing a distinctive "beach look" provided by Casa Bikini. Each calendar costs $10 and may be purchased by visiting: http://bit.ly/cVyvIy. Let's be honest, even though it's technically "winter" in Miami...you can definitely get away with purchasing a new bikini. We all know the heat will be back in no time! To start shopping online, visit www.CasaBikini.com and don't forget to plan your very own bikini party. Ciao!
Ever thought of winning a 2010 Porsche Boxter S? Here's your chance to make a difference in the lives of children with special needs and enter a raffle to drive away with the car of your dreams! The Danielle DeMarzo Foundation, Inc., is a non profit organization dedicated to supporting resources and activities for children with special needs through charitable contributions. Their latest fundraiser will be held at their 7th annual BBQ where they will giveaway a 2010 Porsche Boxster S (color depends on availability). Each raffle ticket costs $100 and you may buy as many as you can afford. The foundation is only selling 1,000 raffles tickets so don't be left behind! All raffle ticket holders are invited to attend the BBQ at 500 West Copans Road in Pompano Beach, Fl. where the winning ticket will be drawn (date will be announced once tickets are sold out). The winner of the Porsche does not need to be present during the BBQ to win. Simply make your $100 donation (tax deductible and non-refundable) and cross your fingers! For tickets or details, call 866-295-KIDS or visit www.DanielleDeMarzoFoundation.org. Good luck and may the force be with you...
