Lifestyles : Miami

Viewing Vizcaya: Intolerance (1916)

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:13:00 +0000

Film/Film Festival

Viewing Vizcaya: Intolerance (1916)
2/17/2010 http://www.vizcayamuseum.org
This screening series will explore both modern day films that have a fun connection to Vizcaya as well as historical silent films that Mr. Deering and his guests might have viewed in their time. In silent film director D. W. Griffith's most ambitious undertaking, humanity's intolerance and its terrible effects are explored in four parallel stories set respectively in the modern era, early Jerusalem, 1572 Paris and ancient Babylon. This epic piece of cinematic history stars Lillian Gish, a contemporary of Mr. Deering's and an extended house guest at Vizcaya. Cost: $15. Running Time: 72 minutes, Rated PG. 7 p.m.	Address: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens 3251 S. Miami Ave. Miami, FL 33129 Coconut Grove 305/250-9133

DNE Program I: Dance Now! at the BASS Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:01:00 +0000

DNE Program I: Dance Now! at the BASS Museum
2/20/2010 http://www.dancenowmiami.org
Dance Now! celebrates its 10th anniversary with a multidisciplinary performance migrating through the museum. The afternoon of site specific world premiers will be based on the three current exhibits: The Jumex Collection, based in Mexico City, the largest private collection of international contemporary art in Latin America, Graffitti artist Dzine's site-specific project comprising wallpaper, objects and sound socially energizing the café and other areas of the museum, and selections from the permanent collection of 16th-19th century work. Shows at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.	Address: Bass Museum of Art 2121 Park Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33139 Miami Beach - Art Deco District/South Beach 305/673-7530

Dance : Compañía María Pagés

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:50:00 +0000

Compañía María Pagés

2/18/2010
http://www.arshtcenter.org

Winner of the National Dance Award, Spain's highest honor for dance, María Pagés has lead the way in the development of modern flamenco. With an ensemble of outstanding dancers and musicians, Compañía María Pagés is today among the most highly sought-after flamenco companies in Europe. Part of Flamenco Festival 2010. 8 p.m.

Address:

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
1300 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33132

Downtown Miami Area 305/949-6722

Dance : Compañía Rocio Molina

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:43:00 +0000

Dance

Compañía Rocio Molina
2/17/2010 http://www.arshtcenter.org
Rocío Molina mesmerized festival audiences two years ago with her blazing performance in "Mujeres". Winner of the Best Dancer Award at the Flamenco Bienal of Seville, Molina returns with her company for the Miami premiere of her new show Oro Viejo (Ancient Gold), an intense evening of Flamenco that wowed audiences throughout Spain. Part of Flamenco Festival 2010. 8 p.m.	Address: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts 1300 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33132 Downtown Miami Area 305/949-6722

South Miami Rotary Art Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:31:00 +0000

South Miami Rotary Art Festival
from 2/27/2010 to 2/28/2010 http://www.southmiamiartfest.org
Art show featuring more than 150 artists from around the country, multinational food court, live music, and Children's Alley. A family-friendly free outdoor event; Metrorail-accessible, easy parking.	Address: along Sunset Dr (SW 72 St) between US1 & Red Rd (SW 57 Ave South Miami, FL 33143 South Miami Area 305/769-5977

ArtSouth of Homestead: Haitian Art Exhibit

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:21:00 +0000

ArtSouth of Homestead: Haitian Art Exhibit
from 2/13/2010 to 3/6/2010 http://www.artsouthhomestead.org
An exhibition of artwork from Haitian artisit to raise funds for the relief efforts in Haiti. Gallery tours, open studios, music & refreshments. Free and open to the public. Opening reception: Saturday, February 13, 2010 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.	Address: ArtSouth of Homestead 240 N. Krome Ave. Homestead, FL 33030 Homestead/Florida City Area 305/247-9406

Found Love/Found Junk : Pablo Cano

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:10:00 +0000

http://www.bacfl.org/events.html

Found Object / Found Love
30 Years of Art with Pablo Cano 1980–2010

Opening Reception, Friday February 12th, 2010 7-10PM

The Bakehouse Art Complex is pleased to bring Pablo Cano back to Wynwood with Found Object Found Love: 30 Years of Art with Pablo Cano. The Bakehouse Art Complex will host an opening reception for Found Object Found Love on Friday, February 12th, 2010 from 7-10pm. The exhibition will continue through Monday, March 1st. Co-Curated by Anthony Ardavin & Lauren Wagner, this celebratory thirtieth year of art will take a look back at the early work of Cano and follow him on his artful journey beginning in Baltimore and ending back here in his beloved Miami. Found Object
Found Love will feature unique never-before shown oil paintings, figurative sculptures, ceramics
and of course, his notable marionettes. Ambient acoustic finger style guitar by Peter Betan.

Exhibtiion on view until March 1st 2010

Saturday, February 13th, 2010: 2pm
DOG, a Special Performance

To accompany the exhibition, Pablo Cano presents his latest performance piece “DOG, A Shadow Puppet Play”. He has collaborated with master puppeteer Jim Hammond in its writing and production. It is a story about a Dog who pursues a “red squeaky ball” through famous paintings and sculptures in art history. The ball is used as a metaphor for each of our simplest pursuits of happiness. Using miniature style of overhead projector shadow puppetry that Jim has used in commissions by New World Symphony and The Museum of Art - Fort Lauderdale, Pablo and Jim have developed a surreal non-linear world that explores scale and two dimensional details. Keeping true with his use of found materials for his artwork, Pablo created each shadow puppet from plastic BEWARE OF THE DOG signs. “DOG” brings together art education, music and entertainment to young and old alike.

“DOG” will be performing Saturday, February 13th at the Bakehouse Art Complex in the Project room at 2 pm and will be open to the public.

Tickets are $15.00 for Adults, $10.00 for Members, Children under 13 no charge.

Address:

Bakehouse Art Complex
561 NW 32nd St.
Miami, FL 33127

Miami Design District
305/576-2828

Yayoi Kusama : Art Festival/Art Show

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:31:00 +0000

Yayoi Kusama at Fairchild

Art Festival/Art Show


from 12/5/2009 to 5/30/2010 http://www.fairchildgarden.org
Yayoi Kusama Fairchild is proud to display sculptures from the aclaimed Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama for the 2010 art season. View photos or video on the exhibit or vistit the garden to see Kusama's Flowers that Bloom at Midnight which are on display in the Amphitheater and consist of vividly painted, giant cast flowers measuring between five and sixteen feet in height. Several of Kusama's playful Pumpkins are also on display. The multi-part floating work Guidepost to the New Space, a series of rounded “humps” in fire-engine red with white polka dots, is being displayed in Pandanus Lake. Kusama’s artificial garden unfolds in all its psychedelic glory, against the garden's backdrop of stately palms and fabulous flowers. A map of the artwork and the full Art at Fairchild program are available online or during your visit. All sculptures in the exhibition are on loan from Gagosian Gallery. About the Artist Yayoi Kusama is one of the world’s leading artists and a living legend of the international art avant-garde. Flamboyant yet profound, her oeuvre encompasses unique masterpieces in painting, sculpture, and installation, as well as mass production and popular culture. Kusama also produces playful sculpture on a monumental scale. Her first large-scale sculpture appeared in 1994, a huge, vivid yellow pumpkin covered with an optical spot pattern, which was installed at the end of a jetty on the island of Naoshima in the Seto Sea, Japan. She has since completed several major sculptural commissions—ensembles of huge, brightly hued, triffid-like plants and flowers—for public institutions in Japan and abroad including The Visionary Flowers (2002), Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Nagano, Japan; Tulipes de Shangri-La (2003), Eurolille, Lille, France; Tsumari in Bloom (2003) Matsudai-machi Higashikubiki-gun, Niigata, Japan; and The Hymn of Life: Tulips (2007), Beverly Hills City Council, Los Angeles.	Address: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden 10901 Old Cutler Rd. Coral Gables, FL 33156 Coral Gables 305/667-1651

Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:32:00 +0000

Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2010

Where: The festival runs along McFarlane Road, South Bayshore Drive and Pan American Drive. Parking is available at the Cocowalk and Mayfair garages. A shuttle bus runs every 15 minutes from the Douglas Road Metrorail Station between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday through Monday.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Cost: $10 daily. Coconut Grove residents in the 33133 Zip Code pay $5 with proof of residence. Children 12 and younger, or people with a Metrorail golden passport or a Patriot passport, get in free.

More food. More artists. More space. More social media.

“More” is the word for this weekend's 47th annual Coconut Grove Art Festival as organizers aim to continue the three-day festival's trend toward growth despite an economy that doesn't want to cooperate.

An estimated 150,000 people poured onto the streets of Coconut Grove last President's Day weekend to peruse paintings, sculptures and mixed-media works by 336 artists from 36 states and three countries.

On Saturday, organizers figure to meet or beat that record number but it won't come about without much pre-event scrambling and the adoption of new youth-oriented means to spread awareness of a festival that, though still ranked No. 1 by Sunshine Artist Magazine, must attract crowds if it expects to make it to its 50th anniversary.

Reputation aside, staging the arts event “has been challenging with the economy,” says festival president Monty Trainer. Though several key sponsors, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, remain, “there has been a downturn in sponsor participation,” Trainer acknowledged, and some came onboard with reduced rates.

Costs, however, remain high. Trainer said the festival's price tag approaches $1.5 million, with $166,000 of that going to the city of Miami for security and maintenance. “It’s an inordinate amount of security involved, but the artists want that,” he said.

This year, there will be more artists to protect, too, on the event’s route of McFarlane Road and South Bayshore Drive. To accommodate them, festival organizers leased the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove so that they could move booths around to fit 360 artists - an increase of 20 from last year.

The artists were selected from a pool of 1,230 applicants from around the country and Canada, including 150 locals, such as Wendy Boucher of Fort Lauderdale, Douglas Adams and Humberto Benitez of Miami and Mike Rose of Aventura. Two juries made the selections.

To bring in more money, Trainer and staff boosted the profile of the Culinary Pavilion this year. “We're catering more to the families,” he explained.

Chefs include Douglas Rodriguez of his namesake restaurant at the Hotel Astor in Miami Beach, Lucilla Jimenez of Sweet Art by Lucilla and Philippe Pinon of Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove.

Local musicians Spam Allstars, Joe Donato and School of Rock also have more room to perform in Peacock Park, but at a distance to avoid competing with the visual artists for attention.

“The focus is on the artist,” said Katherine Phillips, the festival's chief operating officer. “We don't try to bring in headline entertainment. It's all in the flavor of the Grove, to do a nice balance . . . and not something that detracts from the main goal.”

Once the talent came into place, to pull off another successful festival organizers had to get creative in exposing them. This year, that meant the adoption of the social media site Facebook.

“We've had a website forever, but this year Facebook has taken a front role,'' said Phillips. “It’s free and an effective way to reach the masses and won't be hurting our budget … we can't‚ increase our budget … but with this economy it’s a cool media to use.”

The idea is to build excitement through ticket giveaways, posting of pictures of art and artists and interactive commentary with residents and potential visitors.

Through Wednesday, the festival's Facebook page had attracted 1,777 fans. That number should grow once the event gets under way as people comment via cellphone applications from the streets.

The night Phillips posted the page, 24 people said they planned to attend the festival, folks like Atena Komar who wrote on the Facebook wall:

“It's the best festival in the country and only two blocks from my house. That is why
I go on Saturday. I am an artist and love art. My boyfriend loves art, too, so we are spending our Valentine's at the festival, that is why I go on Sunday. This festival is so huge, it took me two days to see everything and make my picks. That is why I go on
Monday.”

Not surprisingly, that's precisely what festival organizers want to hear.

“It's so viral and grows so fast,” Phillips said of the social media presence. The next day she signed onto the Facebook page devoted to the Grove festival and 1,000 people said they were coming. “I love going on there when I have a second to see the comments.
It builds buzz and others let each other know.”

The next step, of course, would be the use of Twitter, which has the potential to reach even more people … but organizers are “not well versed” on it yet, Phillips said.

Homework for next year's 48th annual fest.

Miami Cost of Living & Wages

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:55:00 +0000

We all know that a dollar earned in Miami is worth more than a dollar earned in New York but less than a dollar earned in Sioux Falls, SD. Do you know exactly how far your money goes? In this article, we take a look at income and the cost of living in Miami.

Let's start with income. How much do you make relative to your neighbors? Of course, the true results will vary by ZIP code. Undoubtedly, incomes are higher in Coral Gables than Overtown. Here are the inflation-adjusted (in 2003 dollars) numbers from the U.S. Census:

2006 Income: $67,574 (average), $47,509 (median)
2007 Income: $65,261 (average), $45,241 (median)
2008 Income: $68,361 (average), $48,809 (median)
2009 Income: $71,924 (average), $56,089 (median)

So, what's that really worth? Let's assume you make the 2009 average of $71,924 in Miami. Here are the amounts (according to the Homefair.com salary comparison calculator) you'd need to make in other cities to achieve the same standard of living:

Phoenix $59,519
Indianapolis $60,070
Atlanta $64,830
Orlando $65,306
Miami $71,924
Seattle $74,320
Boston $83,192
Chicago $86,966
San Francisco $109,464
New York $116,204

Finally, let's take a look at average wages for the top 20 professions in Miami. They appear in the table at the bottom of this page.

Average Hourly Wages by Occupation (sorted by job popularity)

Job	Mean Wage	Median Wage
Retail Salespersons	$11.55	$9.95
Office Clerks, General	$11.01	$10.35
Cashiers	$8.17	$7.63
Laborers	$9.24	$8.53
Registered Nurses	$27.91	$27.74
Janitors and Cleaners	$8.60	$8.15
Sales Representatives	$22.09	$17.25
Stock Clerks	$9.86	$9.18
Security Guards	$9.41	$9.08
Customer Service Representatives	$13.71	$12.81
Waiters and Waitresses	$8.07	$6.93
Food Preparation Workers	$6.97	$6.67
Bookkeeping Clerks	$14.69	$13.73
Secretaries	$12.67	$12.39
Executive Secretaries	$17.48	$16.71
Receptionists	$9.87	$9.73
Packers and Packagers	$8.14	$6.84
Elementary School Teachers	$23.42	$21.07
Office Managers	$22.49	$21.13
Accountants and Auditors	$30.40	$26.05

Miami Entrepreneurs : William D. Pawley

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:07:00 +0000

William D. Pawley (1896–1977) was a U.S. Ambassador, a noted American Businessman and associated with The Flying Tigers American Volunteer Group (AVG) during WWII.

William Douglas Pawley was born in Florence, South Carolina, on 7th September, 1896. His father was a wealthy businessman based in Cuba and Pawley attended private schools in both Havana and Santiago. He later returned to the United States where he studied at the Gordon Military Academy in Georgia.

In 1925 Pawley began work as an estate agent in Miami. Two years later he began working for the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. In 1928 Pawley returned to Cuba to become president of the Nacional Cubana de Aviacion Curtiss. He held this post until the company was sold to Pan American Airways in 1932.

Pawley now became president of the Intercontinent Corporation based in New York. The following year he moved to China where he became president of the China National Aviation Corporation. Over the next five years he built three aircraft factories for the Chinese government of Chiang Kai-shek.

Pawley also formed a business relationship with Tommy Corcoran. In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had asked Corcoran to establish a private corporation to provide assistance to the nationalist government in China. Roosevelt even supplied the name of the proposed company, China Defense Supplies. He also suggested that his uncle, Frederick Delano, should be co-chairman of the company. Chiang nominated his former finance minister, Tse-ven Soong, as the other co-chairman.

For reasons of secrecy, Corcoran took no title other than outside counsel for China Defense Supplies. William S. Youngman was his frontman in China. Corcoran's friend, Whitey Willauer, was moved to the Foreign Economic Administration, where he supervised the sending of supplies to China. In this way Corcoran was able to create an Asian Lend-Lease program.

Pawley also worked closely with Claire Lee Chennault, who had been working as a military adviser to Chiang Kai-shek since 1937. Chennault told Tommy Corcoran that if he was given the resources, he could maintain an air force within China that could carry out raids against the Japanese. Corcoran returned to the United States and managed to persuade Franklin D. Roosevelt to approve the creation of the American Volunteer Group.

William Pawley became involved and he arranged for one hundred P-40 fighters, built by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation, that had been intended for Britain, to be redirected to Chennault in China. Pawley also arranged for the P-40 to be assembled in Rangoon. It was Tommy Corcoran's son David who suggested that the American Volunteer Group should be called the Flying Tigers. Chennault liked the idea and asked his friend, Walt Disney, to design a tiger emblem for the planes.

On 13th April, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a secret executive order authorizing the American Volunteer Group to recruit reserve officers from the army, navy and marines. Pawley suggested that the men should be recruited as "flying instructors".

In July, 1941, ten pilots and 150 mechanics were supplied with fake passports and sailed from San Francisco for Rangoon. When they arrived they were told that they were really involved in a secret war against Japan. To compensate for the risks involved, the pilots were to be paid $600 a month ($675 for a patrol leader). In addition, they were to receive $500 for every enemy plane they shot down.

The Flying Tigers were extremely effective in their raids on Japanese positions and helped to slow down attempts to close the Burma Road, a key supply route to China. In seven months of fighting, the Flying Tigers destroyed 296 planes at a loss of 24 men (14 while flying and 10 on the ground).

In 1944 Pawley became president of the Industan Aircraft Manufacturing Company in Bangalore, India. Pawley was responsible for building India's first ammonium-sulfate plant in Trannvancore.

After the war Pawley became a diplomat. In 1945 Harry S. Truman appointed Pawley as U.S. Ambassador to Peru. Soon afterwards left-wing newspapers in Lima began to claim that Pawley was making "lucrative deals" for himself in Peru. This involved transporting unspecified goods in and out of Peru.

In 1948 Pawley became Ambassador to Brazil. During this time he became a FBI informant. He passed information to J. Edgar Hoover claiming that Spruille Braden, the Ambassador to Argentina was under the control of communist advisers such as Gustavo Duran and George Michanowsky. In a document dated the 7th September, 1948, Pawley suggested that Braden was attempting to expose "non-existant and imagery Nazis in Latin America" as a cover for his communist sympathies. Pawley also claimed that William A. Wieland, who worked as a press officer for the embassy in Brazil, held "anti-capitalist" views.

Pawley continued to be involved in various business projects. He was a close friend of President Rafael Trujillo and together with George Smathers, had invested in the bauxite industry in the Dominican Republic. He was also extremely friendly with Fulgencio Batista and in 1948 he established Autobuses Modernos in Cuba. A company he later sold to Batista.

On 7th November, 1949, Pawley sent a memorandum to the State Department suggesting that a small group of Americans should be sent to Formosa in order to help protect the government of Chiang Kai-shek. Pawley claimed that Dean Acheson rejected the idea after consulting with advisers such as Owen Lattimore, John C. Vincent and John Davis. In February, 1951 Pawley became special assistant to Acheson. Later that year he held a similar post under Robert A. Lovett. However, he discovered that the State Department considered him to be a reactionary and he was denied access to secret documents concerning Latin America.

Pawley was an active member of the Republican Party. A close friend of both President Dwight Eisenhower and CIA director Allen W. Dulles, he took part in a policy that later become known as Executive Action (a plan to remove unfriendly foreign leaders from power). Pawley played a role Operation Success, a CIA plot to overthrow the Guatemalan government of Jacobo Arbenz in 1954 after he introduced land reforms and nationalized the United Fruit Company.

John Foster Dulles decided that he “needed a civilian adviser to the State Department team to help expediate Operation Success". Dulles selected William Pawley. In his book Peddling Influence (2005), David McKean argues that Pawley's most important qualification for the job was his “long association with right-wing Latin America dictators.”

Gaeton Fonzi points out in his book, The Last Investigation: "Pawley had also owned major sugar interests in Cuba, as well as Havana's bus, trolley and gas systems and he was close to both pre-Castro Cuban rulers, President Carlos Prio and General Fulgencio Batista. (Pawley was one of the dispossessed American investors in Cuba who early tried to convince Eisenhower that Castro was a Communist and urged him to arm the exiles in Miami.)"

In March 1958, President Dwight Eisenhower, disillusioned with Batista's government, insisted he held elections. This he did, but the people showed their unhappiness with his government by refusing to vote. Over 75 per cent of the voters in the capital Havana boycotted the polls. In some areas, such as Santiago, it was as high as 98 per cent.

Some members of the State Department came to the conclusion that it would be in America's best long-term interest in Cuba to be seen as opposing Batista. William A. Wieland, Director of the Caribbean and Central American Affairs, was against America providing support for the Cuban dictator. As the U.S. Ambassador of Cuba, Earl E. T. Smith was later to tell a Senate Committee: "He (Wieland) believed that it would be in the best interest of Cuba and the best interest of the world in general when Batista was removed from office."

Wieland was not the only one who took that view. According to Pawley and Smith, Roy R. Rubottom, Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs, John L. Topping, Chief of the Political Section and the Chief of the CIA Section, held similar opinions. Pawley and Smith also identified Herbert L. Matthews of the New York Times as being an important figure in providing support for the idea of regime change in Cuba. Smith pointed out that "Matthews wrote three articles on Fidel Castro, which appeared on the front page of the New York Times, in which he eulogized Fidel Castro and portrayed him as a political Robin Hood."

On 9th December, 1958, Pawley had a meeting with Fulgencio Batista. Pawley told Batista that he was losing the support of the American government. Pawley suggested that the Cuban dictator should resign and allow an anti-Castro and anti-Batista caretaker junta to take over. Batista rejected the idea and on 14th December, William A. Wieland, speaking for the State Department instructed Earl E. T. Smith, to inform Batista that he no longer had the support of the US government and that he should leave Cuba at once. On 1st January, 1959, Batista fled to the Dominican Republic.

Pawley later told a Senate Committee on Latin American Affairs: "I believe that the deliberate overthrow of Batista by Wieland and Matthews, assisted by Rubottom, is almost as great a tragedy as the surrendering of China to the Communists by a similar group of Department of State officials fifteen or sixteen years ago and we will not see the end in cost of American lives and American recourses for these tragic errors."

After Batista was overthrown by Fidel Castro, Pawley pressurized President Dwight Eisenhower to provide military and financial help to anti-Castro Cubans based in the United States. Recently released FBI files suggest he worked closely with Manuel Artime in efforts to overthrow Castro.

In the winter of 1962 Eddie Bayo claimed that two officers in the Red Army based in Cuba wanted to defect to the United States. Bayo added that these men wanted to pass on details about atomic warheads and missiles that were still in Cuba despite the agreement that followed the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Bayo had originally fought with Fidel Castro against Fulgencio Batista. He disagreed with Castro's policies after he gained power and moved to Miami and helped establish Alpha 66. His story was eventually taken up by several members of the anti-Castro community including Gerry P. Hemming, John Martino, Felipe Vidal Santiago and Frank Sturgis. Pawley became convinced that it was vitally important to help get these Soviet officers out of Cuba. To help this happen he communicated with James Eastland, the chairman of the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee, about this story.

Pawley also contacted Ted Shackley, head of the CIA's JM WAVE station in Miami. Shackley decided to help Pawley organize what became known as Operation Tilt. He also assigned William (Rip) Robertson, a fellow member of the CIA in Miami, to help with the operation. David Sanchez Morales, another CIA agent, also became involved in this attempt to bring out these two Soviet officers.

In June, 1963, a small group, including Pawley, Eddie Bayo, William (Rip) Robertson, John Martino, and Richard Billings, a journalist working for Life Magazine, secretly arrived in Cuba. They were unsuccessful in their attempts to find these Soviet officers and they were forced to return to Miami. Bayo remained behind and it was rumored that he had been captured and executed. However, his death was never reported in the Cuban press.

William Pawley died of gunshot wounds in January, 1977. Officially it was suicide but some researchers believe it was connected to the investigations being carried out by the House Select Committee on Assassinations. However, a relative Cash Pawley, has argued: "Bill Pawley had acquired a severe case of Shingles years earlier, which had progressed across his entire body (even the soles of his feet). He had been unable to lay down, stand or become comfortable in any position. The pain was excruciating, and there was no modern medicine(s) for a cure or even proper pain management at the time. Therefore, Mr. Pawley suffered day in and day out, until he just could not do it anymore. This was the reason for his suicide."

WMPD Community Service

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:03:00 +0000

West Miami Police Department Community Activities

The West Miami Police Department has Sponsored a Day at the Recreation Center each year during the summer since 2005. during this event our kids are taught bike safety, fire safety, they learn how some of the fire department equipment works, police k-9 and other police department and fire department related things.

Each year since 2007 a "BIKE RODEO" has been held to teach our youth about bicycle safety. a competition is held and several bikes are raffled to the winning participants.

Kids learned Bike and Fire Safety and plans are underway to keep both activities as an annual event!

Miami's Top Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:57:00 +0000

A vacation wonderland, by necessity, demands terrific cuisine, and Miami is well-equipped to deliver a culinary rainbow. Just-caught seafood promises a welcome taste of the sky-blue sea, thanks to broiled snapper, stone crab, fried grouper and conch fritters. Similarly pervasive in Miami restaurants are the many variations of Latin American cuisine: ubiquitous Cuban eateries, enticing Argentinean spots, and fascinating establishments like Sushi Samba Dromo, which finds parallels in Peruvian, Brazilian and Japanese cuisines. A hometown invention, colorfully dubbed Floribbean fare, marries local ingredients to Caribbean sensibilities, grounding them in Continental technique. It's a movement prevalent in restaurants across Miami, even when menus aren't explicitly devoted to the idea.

Of course, dining in Miami can be remarkable, although it may come at a price in exceptional mainstays like Chef Allen's and Mark's South Beach restaurant. Lest all hope for affordability be lost, know that South Florida shelters a clutch of budget-friendly eateries, which shirk neither ambience nor excellence. Among them are South Beach's no-frills La Sandwicherie and Pilar Restaurant, a Miami mainstay run by Scott Fredel Culinary Institute chef, licensed boat captain and competitive fisherman, to boot. Wherever your Miami dining experience may take you, be prepared to come away with a renewed appreciation for well-prepared cuisine.

Although it is tough, we have to name The Palm as the Best Restaurant in Miami.

An outpost of the popular New York City original, The Palm is one of the best Miami restaurants for steaks and seafood. Offering great American dining in Miami, The Palm serves fresh seafood, tender steaks and expertly prepared Italian specialties. Portions are large, and the walls of this Miami steakhouse are covered with caricatures of famous faces. The relaxed, unassuming atmosphere and great food make The Palm restaurant on Bay Harbor Island a great choice for a hearty meal.

Miami's Top Real Estate Agent

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:28:00 +0000

Meet Audrey Ross

of Esslinger Wooten Maxwell, Inc., Realtors ®

Woman At The Top opening her own real estate firm in Miami in 1984, Audrey Ross has established herself as one of the city's preeminent purveyors of luxury homes. years of dedication to her work and providing absolutely the best and most discreet service to the world's, movers and shakers who make up her clientele, she has become known to those in international real estate circles as "Miami's Woman at the Top."

It's The Ultimate Lifestyle

The elegant serenity of the coast and waterways. An international ambiance that adds pizzazz to the opulent neighborhoods. Picturesque views of beautiful sunsets and a manicured skyline. This is the Miami that Audrey Ross knows and loves.

The city has a pulse all its own... and the person keeping the closest tabs on its trends and transformations is Audrey. As a longtime resident of Coral Gables, she has watched over the bustling activity that has transformed Greater Miami from a world class beachside resort city to a dynamic international trade mecca.

The sun, surf, and rare wildlife of the Everglades and Biscayne national parks remain and are now complemented by great ethnic and cultural diversity, the world's largest port and the United States' busiest international airport.

A Visionary In Her Own Right

Audrey had the foresight to research this incredible growth as it was happening and learned what this influx of people would mean to both current residents and those relocating here.

Her clientele list is a veritable who's who of the movers and shakers of the world - Fortune 500 executives, film stars, international entertainment figures, sports celebrities and heads of foreign countries.

Audrey Has High Regard For Her Client's Privacy

Her uncompromised policy keeps her clients referring friends and colleagues to her. This unique service is what has led her to her success listing and selling many of the most significant estates in the history of Miami.

Audrey also recognizes the importance of widespread networking and using innovative marketing techniques in the sale or purchase of luxury real estate.

Through her company's prominent affiliation with Christieâ€™s Great Estates and Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate, FIABCI, RELD, and Forbes.com, Christieâ€™s Great Estates/EWM offers national and international exposure for estate listings.

The Ultimate Choice For The Ultimate Lifestyle

When you're buying or selling real estate, Audrey believes you should not settle for anything less than what exceeds even your expectations, and she goes to work to make this happen.

South Florida's Best Real Estate Connection To Luxury Property

With a career that has emphasized service sales and consulting and has ranged from heading a division of a major city school system and presiding as president of a national educational association to operating her own real estate company, Audrey Ross is the epitome of an individual who is dedicated to excellence.

Whether it be in achieving the the goals of her real estate clients or in achieving her public service life goals as a board member of one of her favorite organizations: Miami's public television station (WPBT) or The Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. Through her company, Esslinger Wooten Maxwell, Inc., Audrey Ross has not only marketed the cream of Miami's real estate properties, but has also negotiated the sales of Brickell Avenue's office towers.

Did you know?

Audrey Ross sold over $200 million in the year 2005.

Our largest sales volume year was 2005, like most others in real estate, when we sold over $200 million. We have on a number of years, sold more than $100 million, and this year, in the first quarter (in what many consider still a "down year"), we have booked and appear to be closing approximately $60 million.

Audrey Ross named REALTOR® of the Year in South Florida's BEST 2002 Competition

Audrey Ross was bestowed with the honor during the annual awards banquet held on April 13, 2002 at the Diplomat Hotel.

Audrey Ross was named the #1 Agent Company-Wide

Audrey is recognized for breaking all Esslinger Wooten Maxwell (EWM) sales records, selling $63 million in a single week. Named #1 Agent for the 950 agent firm of EWM from 2000 to 2005.

Our Company

Our “firm” is composed of two joint venture partners (Audrey Ross and Ana Collongette). We have been in business since 1984 under the name of Ross and Associates, Inc. and then as a part of Esslinger Wooten Maxwell, Inc. Realtors - however, our website www.miamirealestate.com has been in existence since approximately 1995 under the same name and always representing the BRAND OF AUDREY ROSS, LUXURY REAL ESTATE. Many years ago, we elected to brand the name of the main “rainmaker” for the company/firm/team, and that has been Audrey Ross. Since that time, we have as a team participated in “brand management” which we now understand is a new profession /career, by answering our phones “Audrey Ross’s office”, heading all of our advertising in that manner and generally bringing all of the business under the one name.

In South Florida, it appears that we have been successful, because everyone owning any property over a million dollars, will generally recognize the name and associate it with luxury real estate whenever luxury property is discussed. Our largest sales volume year was 2005, like most others in real estate, when we sold over $200 million. We have on a number of years, sold more than $100 million, and this year, in the first quarter (in what many consider still a “down year”), we have booked and appear to be closing approximately $60 million.

Our firm can best be described as a luxury real estate firm catering to high net worth individuals in a private atmosphere. As a note on the last part of that statement, Audrey Ross has been, since she sold her company (Ross and Associates) to EWM in 2000, the top volume producer for EWM for the ensuing SIX YEARS RUNNING – 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005. In 2006 she persuaded EWM to ELIMINATE her name from the lineup of agents and not have her in the competition for “Top Producer” ... the Audrey Ross team wanted to provide a sense of 'private brokerage' to the top 100 of their very substantial clients and develop that clientele... much as the private equity firms, most notable being KKR in NYC and The Blackstone Group… have done.

The 2010 Real Estate Market

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:02:00 +0000

2010 -- This year, Miami real estate will be filled with challenges: a slow economy, little population growth and uncertainty in the retiree market. But with sales activity rising and prices stabilizing in many markets, plus the federal tax credit extension for buyers, there are clear signs of an upturn that will create new opportunities for Miami real estate condo investors.

“On a statewide basis, Florida has been experiencing a difficult economic cycle”, says Sean Snaith, directory of University of Central Florida Institute for Economic Competitiveness. “But this is not a structural economic problem like Michigan faces with its devastated auto industry. Florida remains a desirable destination and conditions will improve, gradually.”

John Tuccillo, president of Tuccillo and Associates in Sarasota, and former chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, says Florida has been hit harder by the real estate slump than any other state east of the Mississippi. “For 2010, I see a better economy and real estate market for the state, but no sharp recovery either” he says. “It will be a tug of war between increased buying power and a growing distressed property inventory. Buying power will win, but only by a bit.”

One factor to watch for signs of a recovery in 2010 is new home starts, according to analyst Lewes Goodkin, president, Goodkin Consulting, Miami. “To me, that’s a real indicator of when a market has reached the bottom. There has been minimal new construction across the state, but with land prices falling and builders willing to sell new product at little to no profit, we will probably see a modest increase in activity this year.” Noting that the pace of real estate transactions increased in 2009, and the 12 month moving average of prices turned upward, Snaith says, “Developers tell me that the prices of existing homes have fallen below replacement costs”, he says. “That indicates that pricing has overshot on the way down, because the long-run floor for prices has to be replacement costs. That points to prices rising in the future”.

“The big challenge for the Florida’s real estate market is the absence of population growth and ongoing slowdown in the construction sector”, he says. “We have more rooftops than we need, so the first step will be filling those new homes”. Another big issue is the number of foreclosures expected to continue through 2010.

Florida’s population is unlikely to grow much, if at all in 2010. After losing residents in 2008, for the first time since World War II, Florida’s population was expected to end 2009 with little change, while Snaith projects a very modest 10,000 person increase this year. “Until the labor market recovers, we won’t see strong in-migration” he says.

However, Florida’s market presents excellent opportunities for several market segments such as first-time buyers, investors and international buyers who want to take advantage of low prices, low interest rates and great deals on new home inventory. The extension and expansion of the federal income tax credit program is also expected to stimulate the state’s real estate market.

President Obama recently signed a bill providing a tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time buyers who have closed a transaction or have a binding contract in place by April 30, 2010. A $6,500 tax credit is available to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. However, this will probably not do much good to those looking to relocate to the Miami area, as real estate prices are still very high.

“The substantial rise in home sales we’ve seen over the past few months proves that the tax credit is working”, says Charles McMillan, 2009 president of the National Assocation of Realtors. “Extending and expanding the home buyer tax credit will enable even more families to take advantage of current low interest rates and affordable prices to invest in their future through homeownership”.

The University of Miami

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:33:00 +0000

A private research university with more than 15,000 students from around the world, the University of Miami is a vibrant and diverse academic community focused on teaching and learning, the discovery of new knowledge, and service to the South Florida region and beyond.

Established in 1925 during the region’s famous real estate boom, UM is a major research university, engaged in more than $326 million in research and sponsored program expenditures a year. While the majority of this work is housed at the Miller School of Medicine, investigators conduct dozens of studies in other areas, including marine science, engineering, education, and psychology.

Led by President Donna E. Shalala, the University is comprised of 12 schools and colleges serving undergraduate and graduate students in more than 180 majors and programs. In 2009, U.S.News & World Report recognized UM among the top-tier of national universities, ranking it No. 50 in its listings of “America’s Best Colleges; it also cited several of its programs in “America’s Best Graduate Schools.”

Miami's Latin Culture

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:55:00 +0000

The Miami culture is very dynamic and has a heavy Latin influence. Immigrants can be found from Cuba, Haiti and Puerto Rico, among other Latin American countries. In fact, 58 percent of the people living in Miami city in 2003 were foreign born. It is not uncommon to walk down any street in the city and not hear English spoken. It is a wide variation of people and backgrounds, influencing cultural celebrations found throughout Miami. You can also see a generous difference in wealth. Miami is full of those living a life full of riches and fame, driving expensive cars and owning high rises with oceanfront views. On the opposite side, you will also find suburbs with little income.

Little Havana is the heart of the Cuban exile community and teeming with culture. This 25 block area is populated by restaurants, car dealerships, record stores and cigar factories, and also neighborhoods with small homes and apartments. Calle Ocho, made famous for its Latin celebrations, is one street worth visiting in this section of town. Little Havana provides residents with central parks and boulevards for large family gatherings, cultural partying and political demonstrations.

The Historic Biltmore Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the Historic Biltmore Hotel of Coral Gables

An Esteemed Miami Golf and Spa Resort Graced with Definitive Luxury and Class

Reflecting the passion and vitality of one of America’s most exciting cities, the Historic Biltmore Hotel of Coral Gables has been a favorite of world leaders, celebrities, and sports stars since its opening in the 1920’s. As a standard setting resort, the Biltmore Hotel showcases championship golf, cosmopolitan dining, a breathtaking spa and premier conference facilities, all the while exceeding most refined expectations.

Graced with unequivocal luxury and class, the Biltmore Hotel offers a stunning location in the exclusive Coral Gables area of Miami. Surround yourself by old world charm and beauty as you ease into indulgence and serenity. Welcome to the Biltmore Hotel.

Resort Features:

275 guest rooms, including 130 suites
150 acres of lush and tropical landscapes, which include an 18-hole Donald Ross-designed golf course, 10 tennis courts and the world-famous Biltmore pool with private cabana suites
Acclaimed restaurants: Palme d’Or, Fontana, Cascade Poolside Bar & Grill, and the 19^th Hole
A world-class spa and fitness center
70,000 square feet of spacious state-of-art conference and meeting space
Full service catering for meetings, events, and weddings
Minutes from South Beach, downtown Miami and the business districts of Coral Gables

History and Elegance in Coral Gables

A place of elegance, beauty and old world charm, the Biltmore Hotel is a luxury golf and spa resort located in the elegant Coral Gables area of Miami, Florida. This historic resort features grand hotel rooms and suites, highly acclaimed restaurants, a world-class spa and fitness center and spacious state-of-the-art conference facilities. Surrounding the Miami Biltmore Hotel are 150 acres of lush and tropical landscapes, which include an 18-hole Donald Ross-designed golf course, 10 tennis courts and the world-famous Biltmore pool with private cabana suites. An oasis of privacy and tranquility in the vibrant city of Miami, our upscale Florida hotel is just minutes from the electricity of South Beach and downtown Miami as well as the flourishing business districts of Coral Gables.

Beautiful Coral Gables Accommodations

The stately accommodations at the Biltmore consist of 275 guest rooms, including 130 spacious suites. The rooms feature luxurious details such as plush Egyptian bedding, Jerusalem stone-tiled floors and oversized windows. Click here for hotel features and guest room amenities.

Meetings & Groups at the Biltmore

We welcome business and group travelers to the Biltmore Hotel and our stunning conference space at the Conference Center of the Americas. Our convenient location makes for a great point of reference and is close to all the major leisure and business areas including downtown Miami and Miami International airport. Click here to explore our full suite of hotel business services at the Biltmore.

Stunning Miami Weddings & Events

Lush landscaping, iconic architecture, versatile facilities and award-winning cuisine have made the Biltmore an extraordinary destination wedding site. The Biltmore creates a perfect setting for weddings and important social events. Click here to view our meeting facilities.

Exceptional Dining at the Biltmore

The Biltmore offers exceptional fine dining onsite with four fabulous options to choose from with Palme D’or, Fontana, Cascade Bar & Grill and the 19th Hole. Additionally, the hotel features an afternoon tea service in the grand lobby and an attractive wine cellar bar. Click here to read more about dining at the Biltmore.

Old World Glamour and Exemplary Comfort

Miami Luxury Rooms & Suites

The Biltmore’s relatively small number of guest rooms and suites — 275, including 130 suites — gives the resort an appealing intimacy. All accommodations feature the latest technology services, as well as magnificent skyline and city, pool or golf course views. Welcoming and richly appointed, all of the luxury rooms and suites at the Biltmore features:

European feather bedding and topped with 340-thread-count Egyptian cotton duvet covers.
Frette robes and plush Bamboo Orchid towels
Comfortable sitting area with custom-designed furniture
Oversized picture windows with views of the golf course, pool or elegant Coral Gables
Wireless and wired high-speed internet access and cable TV with pay-per-view
Jerusalem stone tile flooring (except for select Superior rooms)

Miami Culinary Excellence and Entertainment

Signature Cocktails and Award-Winning Cuisine at the Biltmore

As one of Miami’s most diverse dining destinations, The Biltmore Hotel’s restaurant portfolio offers four distinctive restaurants, two different bars and a tea lounge - from frankly swank to coolly casual, sumptuous indoor decor to atmospheric al fresco settings. All feature the world-class cuisine and service that have created an internationally renowned culinary legacy for the historic hotel.

Built by Coral Gables’ developer, George Merrick, the Biltmore opened in 1926 as the epicenter of the city’s social activities. Today, in keeping with Merrick’s vision, the hotel’s restaurants and bars, in concert with the programs of its unique Cellar Club, assure the Biltmore is an integral part of local residents’ daily lives.

The Biltmore Spa Experience

Welcome to the Biltmore Spa Coral Gables

A sanctuary for the senses in the center of Miami, a place that offers peace, inspiration and profound relaxation. The moment you step into the Biltmore Spa, a feeling of contentment washes over your whole being. Perched on the 7th floor of the iconic resort, amid great views of the golf course, the Biltmore Spa relaxes and tunes the mind and body while stimulating the senses. The timeless materials of the Historical Landmark, rich stones and warm wood, were used throughout the Spa to create a serene and restful ambiance. Here in the contemporary elegance befitting the Biltmore’s distinguished past and new splendor, each therapist, driven by a deeply personal vision of well-being, offers a wide array of nourishing and balancing personalized treatments from around the world and seeks to capture a connection with each guest.

Wellness is …an all-around way of life leading to health and contentment
…well-being tailor-made for everyone
…a decision to optimize your health and zest for life
…our connection with each other and with nature
…pure life optimism and good mood

Wellness is harmony, constant movement, a search for internal peace, balance and enjoyment beneath the watchful eyes and expertise of wellness professionals.

Let us welcome you to the Biltmore Spa, a superb wellness retreat where a brand new world awaits you. Let us guide you on the path to well-being, in an environment of absolute beauty, legendary history and incomparable service.

Hours of operation:

The spa is open daily from 8:30am to 8:00pm
Phone: 305.913.3187

Play on the Donald Ross Golf Course at Our Miami Golf Resort

Golf Biltmore

Adjacent to the hotel is a 6,800-yard, 18-hole, par-71, championship golf course designed by world-renowned golf course architect Donald Ross. The course provides preferred daily tee times for hotel guests.

Corporate groups can organize tournaments and preferred group tee times through the Biltmore’s Concierge. Uniformed bag attendants, curbside bag drop and valet service are available seven days a week. You’ll also enjoy a fully equipped clubhouse, restaurant and bar and one of the largest driving / practice areas in the southeast — ideal for a memorable Miami golf vacation.

Award-Winning Miami Fitness Center

Fitness at the Biltmore

The Biltmore’s 10,000 square ft., state-of-the-art FitnessCenter allows guests to maintain their fitness regimen when traveling. It features a separate area dedicated solely to cardiovascular exercise, and a comprehensive free-weight room and two additional rooms of plate-loaded and selectorized resistance equipment. Ranked by Men’s Fitness magazine as one of the 10 best hotel fitness centers in the U.S., the center offers more than 100 weekly exercise classes including Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, Spinning, Marital Fussion, Body sculpting and many more. A variety of aquatic classes are held in the hotel’s landmark pool. The Biltmore also offers over 20 personal trainers who are available for personal training. Nutritional counseling is also available upon request.

What's New?

Come experience the newly revamped and more extensive state of the art Precor cardio machines with personal monitors. New cardio layout includes one Fluid Rower, 2 Additional Treadmills and 3 AMT's.
ADA Cabanas are now available. Contact reservations for more information and assistance.

Questions or Comments?

Send us an email at: fitness@biltmorehotel.com
Or call us at 305-913-3102.

Theresa McQueen
Fitness Center Director
tmcqueen@biltmorehotel.com

About the Biltmore Culinary Academy

A recreational hands-on cooking school with classes for adults and children taught by the Biltmore's acclaimed chefs. Fun and educational, the class is designed for aspiring chefs of all levels. The 3-hour signature class holds up to 8 students and finishes with a meal comprised of recipes made in class.

Bon Appetite!

Classes offered include:

Signature Hands-on Class
Master Chef Series
Team Building Classes
Corporate and Private Entertaining
Wedding Party Cooking Class
Private Couples Cooking Class
Private Cooking Class
Kids Summer Camps
Kids Birthday Parties

To view the full Monthly Schedules please click here.

To register email culinaryacademy@biltmorehotel.com or call 305.913.3131.

Old World Glamour with Contemporary Business Amenities

The Biltmore Hotel for Business Travel to Miami

Without sacrificing the old world glamour and luxury for which the Biltmore is known, business travelers to Miami will be pleased to know that executive suites and corporate amenities are always readily available. From a state-of-the art meeting facilities and business center to executive suites with an array of indispensible amenities, the Biltmore is built for productivity and relaxation.

The Biltmore Hotels offers travelers wireless Internet connectivity, the latest in-room technology, combined with all the comforts of home in executive suites. The spacious one-bedroom executive suite features a separate sitting area with a plush sofa, leisure chair and writing desk. On-call services include car rental, dry cleaning, banking services, concierge services, currency exchange, a doctor on call, luggage storage, multi-lingual staff, secretarial services, shoe shine, trouser press, tea service, and postal/parcel services.

The Biltmore's business center is conveniently located in the lobby of the adjacent ConferenceCenter of the and features a wide range of services for the busy traveler including IBM-compatible executive computer workstations with fast internet access and software. Guests can use the business centers computers or bring their own laptop. Also available are printers (black and white and color), photocopying, transparencies, fax machines, and stationery supplies.

Hours of operation are Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.- and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Guests requiring Sunday services should contact the concierge desk at 305-445-1926.

Meet Luxury. Meet History. Meet at the Biltmore Hotel of Coral Gables.

Miami Hotel Offers Ample Meeting Space Near Miami Airport

The Biltmore’s principal meeting facilities are located in the adjacent ConferenceCenter of the Americas (CCA), a beautiful historic building on the property of the landmark Biltmore.

The CCA has become South Florida's preferred site for high-level professional and executive education programming and now enhances The Biltmore as the Americas' host for corporate briefings, executive education and public policy conferences.

A $14 million renovation in the year 2000 produced 40,000 square feet of exceptional function space that includes eight main meeting rooms, six breakout rooms, a 6,200 sq. ft. Ballroom, two state-of-the-art amphitheaters, and a private executive boardroom. Each function room is set within the historic ambiance and luxurious surroundings of the classic Biltmore Hotel.

Every general session and breakout room is supported by powerful technology: “plug-and-play” high-speed web and video-conferencing capability. Three elegant classrooms offer dual LCD rear-screen projection. Refurbished spaces have received advanced sound, lighting and Ethernet access to T-3 broadband Internet.

The two-tiered amphitheaters, seating 60-90 and 90-130 persons provide dedicated wireless simultaneous translation and Audience Response systems. Every participant station is wired for 120 v. Ethernet, analog phone lines and personal task lighting. Amphitheaters have dual rear-screen projections, full audio support and complete remote control of the room from each speaker’s podium.

All operational systems and services are totally integrated between the CCA and The Biltmore so that conference attendees receive meeting and hotel experiences of exceptional quality.

The Biltmore/CCA complex is the center point of a beautifully landscaped residential neighborhood in Coral GablesFlorida and is just ten minutes from MiamiInternationalAirport and the major business districts of Miami-DadeCounty.

Floor Plan PDFs

	Meeting Facilities - Main Building	170KB
	Meeting Facilities - Conference Center of the Americas	335KB
	Full Hotel Map	161KB

Social Events at the Biltmore Hotel

Plan your social event at the Biltmore Hotel in rich and historically significant ballrooms. The Biltmore offers an unusually large number of indoor and outdoor spaces and locations within the Biltmore complex for social events. Each ballroom has its own unique identity for what will become truly memorable events for your guests.

The culinary standards available for social events are the same as those acclaimed in the Biltmore restaurants, such as Palme d'Or. And the variety of spaces and locations within the Biltmore complex makes the Biltmore an incomparable venue for multifunction events such as destination weddings and other multi-day social events.

Give your guests a Miami event to remember with the Biltmore as your host.

Memorable Events of History and Elegance in Miami

Coral Gables Weddings and Events at the Biltmore Hotel

Lush landscaping, iconic architecture, versatile facilities and award-winning cuisine have made the Biltmore an extraordinary destination wedding site. The Biltmore creates a idyllic setting for weddings and important social events in the charming Coral Gables.

Whether arranging an engagement party, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, wedding reception or a post-reception brunch, the Biltmore’s varied, on-property venues and highly personalized and exemplary service ensure an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Enjoy a pre or post ceremony spa or make-up session or any of the other on-site amenities. The Biltmore is versatile and abundant with activities and services to enhance your most important day.

Have a Beautiful Biltmore Ceremony

The legendary architecture of the Biltmore and the lush landscaping sets the scene.

We have a wide selection of elegant settings for the ceremony of your dreams. A splendid ceremony under the stars. A sparkling fountain-centered courtyard. A romantic garden. A terrace overlooking the pool or golf course. A spectacular ballroom. The Biltmore offers picturesque venues for indoor or outdoor ceremonies.

Setting the standard for romance…elegance…and breathtaking memories.

Seal your ceremony with an emblem of history at the Biltmore of Miami.

Exclusive Miami Vacation Packages

Coral Gables Luxury Hotel Specials and Packages at the Biltmore

Treat yourself to an exclusive Miami vacation package custom designed for business travelers, romance travelers, Florida residents and more. Check back and sign up for our newsletter to take advantage of the latest additions on abundant Miami hotel vacation packages.

CLICK HERE for our Current Specials.

Kids

Biltmore Kids

At the Biltmore, the fun starts for the little ones upon check-in with a special kid-friendly welcome gift. The attention to detail will continue throughout your stay with kid's sized robes, a special turn-down service with homemade cookies and milk, and great kids menus in all of our restaurants.

Biltmore Culinary Academy for Kids

Saturday morning cooking class-children cooking classes developed to inspire, excite
and feed the curiosity children 8-16. Children are given the opportunity to cook and have fun in the kitchen. They will be introduced to cooking vocabulary and techniques, tools and utensils, basics of etiquette, nutrition, safety, kitchen math and new foods!

*Reservations required $75 per Child

Yoga (seasonal)

Sunday morning yoga- provides healthy fun for all ages and abilities. Classes are specifically developed and modified appropriately by level. This is a fun and dynamic system of practicing poses joined together by breath and flowing movement.

*Reservations required $20

Spa

A take on our classic Manicure and Pedicure for the small hands and feet.

Mini Mani/pedi (8-14yrs)

*Reservations required $65/50 minutes

Golf

Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:15- 5:15 p.m.

Saturday 11-12 $20

Individual junior lessons

*Reservations required

Tennis

Private or semi private lessons available, from $35/hr

*Reservations required

Retail Store

Shop at the Biltmore’s newly redesigned retail shops for chic children’s resort wear, from Villebrequin, Roberta Rabbit and Onda del Mar.

Nanny Service

Available upon request

LOCAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

MIAMI CHILDREN’S MUSEUM - The Miami Children’s Museum is dedicated to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning and enabling children to realize their highest potential. The Miami Children’s Museum is a non-profit educational institution, which meets the needs of all children in our multicultural community. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to play together, learn, imagine and create. The museum offers interactive exhibits, programs, and learning materials related to arts, culture, community and communication.

JUNGLE ISLAND - Jungle Island is a bird sanctuary, wildlife habitat and botanical garden. There are over 1,100 birds presented in a tropical forest setting, some of which take part in daily shows. The gardens contain around 2,000 varieties of exotic plants including Heliconias, bananas, orchids and bromeliads. The site is also home to a variety of other animals including alligators, tortoises, monkeys, orangutans and the famous flamingoes featured in the opening credits of "Miami Vice." Some of the other shows presented at the Parrot Jungle include a nocturnal creature presentation and the reptile encounter that highlights one of only 17 albino alligators in the U.S.

MIAMI SCIENCE MUSEUM - Discovering the rings of Saturn or the Crab Nebula in the night sky, wading through sea grass into a colorful undersea world or getting a close-up of a real bald eagle - these are life changing experiences-- for adults as well as children. With its real life marvels, interactive exhibits, and exciting learning adventures, the new MiaSci will stimulate the mind - while touching the heart.

MIAMI SEAQUARIUM - On a 38-acre tropical paradise with spectacular skyline views lies a South Florida attraction like no other. Welcome to Miami Seaquarium®, a place where dolphins walk on water and killer whales fly through the air. Where sea lions delight children of all ages and endangered sea turtles and manatees find a safe haven. Enjoy a world-class marine-life entertainment park with eight different marine animal shows and astonishing daily presentations. Miami Seaquarium® is a place of inspiration, education – and fun!

MIAMI METRO ZOO - Our mission is to encourage an appreciation for the world's wildlife and to help conserve it for future generations.

VENETIAN POOL - Formed from a coral rock quarry in 1923, Venetian Pool is included in the National Register of Historic Places. This 820,000 gallon pool is fed with cool spring water daily, and features two waterfalls, coral caves and grottos. The buildings are Venetian-style architecture, designed by Denman Fink, uncle of the founding father of Coral Gables, George Merrick.

FLORIDA EVERGLADES TOURS- Journey into Nature's secretly preserved wilderness made up of 1.2 million acres of grasslands and hardwood hammocks aboard one of our Safari airboats. A professional tour guide will narrate your thrilling airboat ride as you glide through this jungle of wilderness: the legendary Florida Everglades. Recognized as the most unique ecosystem, our tour guide will lead you through this natural wonder where you will encounter breathtaking panoramic views, lush vegetation and tranquility. You will be amidst alligators, native flora and fauna, as well as other exotic wildlife in their habitat as you ride through the River of Grass system. A truly memorable and exhilarating adventure - a must see!

SoBay Festival of the Arts

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:40:00 +0000

CONTACT US

noreply@blogger.com (Lifestyles Miami) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 07:41:00 +0000

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Lifestyles : Miami

Viewing Vizcaya: Intolerance (1916)

DNE Program I: Dance Now! at the BASS Museum

Dance : Compañía María Pagés

Dance : Compañía Rocio Molina

South Miami Rotary Art Festival

ArtSouth of Homestead: Haitian Art Exhibit

Found Love/Found Junk : Pablo Cano

Found Object / Found Love 30 Years of Art with Pablo Cano 1980–2010

Yayoi Kusama : Art Festival/Art Show

Yayoi Kusama

Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2010

Miami Cost of Living & Wages

Average Hourly Wages by Occupation (sorted by job popularity)

Miami Entrepreneurs : William D. Pawley

WMPD Community Service

Miami's Top Restaurant

Miami's Top Real Estate Agent

Meet Audrey Ross

of Esslinger Wooten Maxwell, Inc., Realtors ®

It's The Ultimate Lifestyle

A Visionary In Her Own Right

Audrey Has High Regard For Her Client's Privacy

The Ultimate Choice For The Ultimate Lifestyle

South Florida's Best Real Estate Connection To Luxury Property

Did you know?

Audrey Ross sold over $200 million in the year 2005.

Audrey Ross named REALTOR® of the Year in South Florida's BEST 2002 Competition

Audrey Ross was named the #1 Agent Company-Wide

Our Company

The 2010 Real Estate Market

The University of Miami

Miami's Latin Culture

The Historic Biltmore Hotel

Welcome to the Historic Biltmore Hotel of Coral Gables

An Esteemed Miami Golf and Spa Resort Graced with Definitive Luxury and Class

History and Elegance in Coral Gables

Beautiful Coral Gables Accommodations

Meetings & Groups at the Biltmore

Stunning Miami Weddings & Events

Exceptional Dining at the Biltmore

Old World Glamour and Exemplary Comfort

Miami Luxury Rooms & Suites

Miami Culinary Excellence and Entertainment

Signature Cocktails and Award-Winning Cuisine at the Biltmore

The Biltmore Spa Experience

Welcome to the Biltmore Spa Coral Gables

Hours of operation:

Play on the Donald Ross Golf Course at Our Miami Golf Resort

Golf Biltmore

Award-Winning Miami Fitness Center

Fitness at the Biltmore

What's New?

Questions or Comments?

About the Biltmore Culinary Academy

Old World Glamour with Contemporary Business Amenities

The Biltmore Hotel for Business Travel to Miami

Meet Luxury. Meet History. Meet at the Biltmore Hotel of Coral Gables.

Miami Hotel Offers Ample Meeting Space Near Miami Airport

Floor Plan PDFs

Social Events at the Biltmore Hotel

Memorable Events of History and Elegance in Miami

Coral Gables Weddings and Events at the Biltmore Hotel

Have a Beautiful Biltmore Ceremony

Exclusive Miami Vacation Packages

Coral Gables Luxury Hotel Specials and Packages at the Biltmore

Biltmore Kids

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30 Years of Art with Pablo Cano 1980–2010