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Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts

Major GOP Role For Rubio in 2012?

Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus said today that Florida Senator Marco Rubio will play a major role in the 2012 Republican presidential campaign.
Priebus spoke on a conference call with reporters. He is not the first Republican to suggest that Rubio will be playing an increasingly influential role in the 2012 Republican effort.
Republican nomination contender Mitt Romney has been hinting that Sen. Rubio could be a potential running mate.
Reportedly, one Romney insider said: “We think that [Romney/Rubio] could be a dream ticket.”It does have a nice alliterative ring to it.
The RNC chair said Rubio could assist Republicans in building support among the Hispanic community. And let's not forget the delegate-rich, pivotal state of Florida.
Lots of people are high on Rubio. He certainly seems to be a vital part of the future of a growing and increasingly diversified Republican Party.

Viva, GOP!

Casey Anthony: The 'Tattooed Medea Of Orlando'

Casey Anthony is a monster.
And everyone knows it except 12 confused citizens of Florida and a few criminal-defense attorneys looking to get on CNN - even if the justice system has denied her the official title of child killer.
As surely as O.J. Simpson plunged a knife into his ex-wife, Caylee Marie's mother guaranteed she wasn't going to see her 3rd birthday. The evidence, though circumstantial, was powerful. The fact that the jury failed to connect the logical dots is an indictment of our system.
But before Casey Anthony became the tattooed Medea of Orlando
Click here to read the rest of Christine Flowers' column from the Philadelphia Daily News.

Seasons 52 Debuts Spring Menu!

As many of you know, we love Seasons 52 -- the restaurant that changes its menu with the seasons and that updates dishes with weekly fresh features. Seasons 52 is smart, sophisticated, casual and delicious. And, Seasons 52 in Cherry Hill has been a huge success since its opening two years ago. Here's the latest from Seasons 52 on the new spring menu:
Seasons 52, the highly-acclaimed fresh grill and wine bar restaurant, is set to introduce its spring menu on March 15, allowing guests to savor the fresh flavors of the spring season. Seasons 52 is known for its seasonally inspired menu and fresh approach to dining that meets the demands of today’s culinary-savvy consumers who are looking for a complete dining experience with great tasting food that offers positive lifestyle benefits.
“Spring provides great ingredients and flavors that inspire our seasonal menu and allow us to showcase some truly unique recipes,” said Cliff Pleau, Senior Director of Culinary, Seasons 52. “You’ll taste the flavors of spring across the menu, highlighted by the new lamb T-bone and Tasmanian trout. And with weekly chef-inspired features, there’s always something new to discover at Seasons 52.”

This spring guests can enjoy a bounty of new menu items such as:

Spring Thyme & Parmesan Crispbread
Grilled Lamb T-bone – with truffle mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus
Tasmanian Trout – marinated in lemongrass, served with basmati rise, sugar snap peas and a lemongrass broth
Grilled Spring Asparagus – with feta cheese crumbles and an olive pepper salsa
Tuna Avocado Roll – wrapped in soy mamenori
Artichoke Stuffed Artichoke Leaves – with organic arugula, Parmesan cheese and a balsamic glaze
Sugar-Free Chocolate Cookies & Cream Mini Indulgence – decadent chocolate mousse layered with cookie crumbles

A new cocktail will be arriving this spring – the Strawberry Basil Fusion features strawberry infused Prairie organic vodka with fresh basil and organic agave nectar. Master Sommelier, George Miliotes has also updated his “Drink These Before They Become Famous” list, a handpicked selection of must-try wines for the season, including:

Marchetti Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi – an Old World white wine from Italy with intensely ripened fruit flavors and a meyer lemon finish
Quinta do Crasto – a red from Portugal bursting with raspberry and blackberry flavors, soft tannins and a plush finish

Seasons 52 changes the menu four times a year with weekly fresh features to truly capture the flavors of the season. Each valued guest can be guaranteed the highest quality fresh food, prepared without compromising great taste or a rich and complete dining experience. Nothing on the menu is more than 475 calories, from the signature flatbreads and appetizers, to all entrees and the Mini Indulgence desserts, which were originally created at Seasons 52 in Orlando in 2002. Seasons 52’s promise of “a fresh dining experience that celebrates living well” has been consistently praised by restaurant critics across the country and people’s choice awards alike.
About Seasons 52
Seasons 52 is a fresh grill and wine bar that provides guests with a fresh dining experience, enabling them to celebrate living well. This is a brand that is “right for the times.” The menu is orchestrated by award-winning Chef Clifford Pleau, and is inspired by the seasons and the fresh appeal of the farmers’ market… 52 weeks a year.
The award-winning wine list, which is created and developed by Master Sommelier George Miliotes (the 152nd master sommelier in the world), consistently wins praise for its diverse international selection of 100 wines, including 60 offered by the glass. The casually sophisticated dining ambiance typifies the upmarket restaurant segment, which is outpacing the growth of other restaurant industry segments.
Seasons 52 debuted in 2003 and currently operates locations in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, California, Texas and Arizona. Seasons 52 will open additional restaurants in North Bethesda, MD (North Bethesda Market) in Spring 2011; McLean, VA (Tysons Corner Center) in Summer 2011; and Jacksonville (St. Johns Town Center) and Naples, FL (Mercato Center) in Fall 2011. For more information, visit www.Seasons52.com.

Biden Sunning Himself On Key Largo

Vice-President and Mrs. Biden are spending the long holiday weekend sunning themselves in the Florida keys -- Key Largo, to be specific.
The White House says Biden and his wife traveled to Key Largo on Thursday night.
The couple is expected to remain in the Upper Keys through Monday.
No public events are scheduled.
Meanwhile, First Lady Michelle Obama (and the Obama daughters) are skiing in tony Vail, Colorado. Note: the President is "coaching Sasha's basketball team" in Washington even though Sasha is with her mother in Vail.
There's some kinda Democrat logic amidst all this somewhere. I leave it to you to figure out.

Video: Naked Burglar Snatches Sausage

GOP Convention Headed To Tampa in 2012

The 2012 Republican National Convention will be held in Tampa, Florida starting on August 27, 2012.
Florida has been a key targeted state in the past several elections, and it'll continue to be critical for the GOP. The convention will bring a lot of attention and resources to the state.
The GOP convention will be held at the St. Pete Times Forum, a 21,500-seat venue in downtown Tampa.
The decision to select Tampa was made last year.

Other Options If Congress Doesn't Defeat Obamacare

From "Hands Off My Health Care":
Pam Bondi, Florida's Attorney General, appeared on Fox News yesterday to announce that over half the nation has joined in the fight against ObamaCare taking place in the Florida district court.
As of yesterday, six new states have recently been added. These states are Kansas, Ohio, Wisconsin, Maine, Iowa and Wyoming. This brings the total to 26 states that represent a variety of different political ideologies and backgrounds.
According to Bondi, the lawsuit signifies that "our freedom and our rights have trumped politics and policy." If ObamaCare isn't defeated in Congress, states will fight to make sure it will be defeated by the Courts.
To view a video clip of the interview, visit Fox News: Fox News

Enchanting South Florida: Images To Remember

The Art Deco.

The lush greenery.

The intimate courtyards.

The vivid colors.

The soaring palms.

Tha canals.

The wildlife.

The mansions.

The sea.

The grand hotels.

The breathtaking resorts.

All photos copyright 2011 by Dan Cirucci.

South Florida: Attractions And Good Eats

We've had a great time here in South Florida this week and we'd like to tell you about some of our favorite places along the way --all the way from legendary Palm Beach clear on down to Key Largo.

In MIAMI BEACH we relaxed at the extraordinary FONTAINBLEAU HOTEL AND RESORT directly on the ocean. This famous resort has retained all of its noteworthy charm and sophistication but it's also completely new and updated in every way. It is truly dazzling. in fact, "spectacular" wouldn't begin to describe The FONTAINBLEAU.
While there, we ate surfside at LA COTE. Under lush palms and a perfectly blue sky (with the turquoise sea just to our left) we enjoyed crisp salads and drinks. Everything at LA COTE is perfectly prepared and our server, Ivan, was polite, caring and wonderfully attentive. We highly recommend it. Live the Fountainbleau itself, LA COTE is unforgettable.

For an entirely different experience in WESTON (near Lauderdale) we recommend both WESTON DINER and LUCILLE'S AMERICAN CAFE. The Weston Diner is a particularly good spot for breakfast, with many breakfast specials and combinations. But don't expect a traditional free-standing diner. This diner is (like many South Florida suburban eateries)in a shopping center. But inside, it's all-diner, all the time.
LUCILLE'S is more a theme restaurant built around the idea of informal dining and down home cooking. It's a fun spot that attracts families and people who are looking for informal dining and classic American dishes. From burgers to club sandwiches to chicken pot pie to meat loaf and great blue plate specials, LUCILLE'S is the place.
At both the Weston Diner and LUCILLE'S the service is quick and helpful and the prices are easy on the wallet. Great value in a friendly atmosphere.

In fashionable Palm Beach we simply had to visit THE BREAKERS where we dined at the resort's famous SEAFOOD BAR. At this chich watering hole you will enjoy a spectacular view of The Breakers' breathtaking Ocean Walk and the sea beyond. We lunched on the seafood club and a signature cob salad. The entire experience was perfection -- incredibly memorable. And, if you go to the Seafood Bar be sure to check out the bar's surface. No, you haven't necessarily has too much to drink. those really are live fish carpeting just below the bar surface.

Of course, South Florida isn't all tres chic, and that's what makes it so much fun. You can switch gears in a wink. And we did exactly that as we journeyed to gritty and authentic KEY LARGO and visited SUNDOWNERS directly on the water where you can enjoy the very freshest catch. Once again we dined al fresco on a raised deck overlooking pleasure craft and fishermen. Our mahi mahi was nothing less than dreamy.

We hope these recommendations prove to be helpful!

The Scene On Worth Avenue, Palm Beach

we've just returned from a walk along legendary Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida.
This is the shopping thoroughfare that rivals Rodeo Drive. The street is lined with every major designer name -- all of the names and brands that are synonymous with chic.
Well, anyway here's what we found on the appropriately named Worth Avenue -- lots and lots of Europeans smoking, chattering away and spending whatever money was being spent.
Now, this is what they call "The Season" in Palm Beach and the trappings of wealth are everywhere. And there's little doubt that there's probably enough "protected" money here to last more than a few lifetimes.
But right now it's Europeans who seem to be spending the dough, not Americans.
OK, at least they are dropping their money on our shore.
But If this is what passes for "conspicuous consumption" in Obama's America, all we can see is we got a problem, folks. A big problem!

The Wonders Of Florida's Untamed Everglades

If you come to South Florida and you don't visit The Everglades you're missing one of the greatest natural attractions in the world.
You can easily spend an entire day or more on The Everglades and the best way to visit is through the Everglades National Park administered by the National Park Service.
Entry to the park is quick and convenient and there are many fine trails that you can wander at will. We entered near Florida City not far from Miami. Since you can walk over The Everglades on planked passages you will get a wonderful up-close and natural view of much of the wildlife including many alligators.
The National Park Service also sponsors organized programs and guided walks throughout the day if you're so inclined. One of the newest programs is a tour of a former Nike missile site that played a key role in the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. Yes, that's part of The Everglades as well.
The Everglades is one of the largest wetlands in the world.
Hundreds of years ago, this wetlands was a major part of a 5,184,000 acre watershed that covered almost a third of the entire state of Florida. The Everglades consist of a shallow sheet of fresh water that rolls slowly over the lowlands and through billions of blades of sawgrass. As water moves through the Everglades, it causes the sawgrass to ripple like green waves; this is why the Everglades received the nickname "River of Grass."
Our visit to The Everglades has been one of the highlights of our trip to South Florida -- but we barely scratched the surface in terms of visiting this sprawling natural wonder.
Here's an important tip: Try to visit in the "cool" weather months (November through February)as this time of the year will allow you to see more without being bothered by mosquitoes and other insects.

2011 Is Ronald Reagan's Year

Right now we're driving along the Ronald Reagan Turnpike.
Yes, the Florida Turnpiker has been dedicated to Ronald Reagan.
And that's appropriate -- VERY appropriate right now. Because 2011 marks the Centennial of Ronald Reagan's birth.
They'll be much talk and a great deal of hoopla about Ronald Reagan this year.
And we'll be reporting on and following al of it.
Stay with us.
This is gonna be a great year!

South Florida - Whatever You Want It To Be

South Florida is whatever you want it to be.
Do you want it to be natural and untamed? The Everglades are here.
Do you want it to be wild, hip and carefree? Try South Beach.
Are you looking for something quiet, secure and protected? Gated communities abound.
Is grand elegance your style? Then try Palm Beach.
A switch of a few miles here can bring an entirely different atmosphere -- from the boisterous big city style of Miami to the quiet, Venice-inspired canals of Fort Lauderdale.
Yes, at times this part of Florida can seem like a bit of a mess. Much of it seems to have been made up as it developed, sometimes plopped down helper-skelter style. Many of the planned communities seem sterile and vacant. They lack vibrancy and have no clear identity. But given the area's rapid growth, much of this was inevitable.
And all this makes the diversity and the variety all the more welcoming and refreshing.
So, make of it what you will.
The options and choices are yours.
South Florida is whatever you want it to be.

South Beach: A Vibrant, Seaside Minestrone

We spent the first day of the new year in South Beach, Miami Beach.
With its various dining and entertainment districts, its art deco hotels and its beach walk and vibrant public spaces (not to mention the beach itself) South Beach is a minestrone of colors, cultures, languages and lifestyles.
But it all blends together in a thoroughly modern (or moderne) American atmosphere.
There'd are so many influences and so many sights and sounds that the architecture, the palms and the people combine for a continuous show.
And the best thing about it is this: admission is free.

Happy New Year From South Florida!

Happy New Year everybody and thanks for making 2010 the best year ever for the Dan CIRUCCI blog.
We welcomed more that 120,000 visitors during the past year and those visitors racked up nearly a quarter of a million page views!
In fact, we welcomed more visitors in 2010 than in 2008 and 2009 combined.
And it's all because of you. YOU made it happen!
Now, we're celebrating the new year here in Florida . . . today in Miami Beach and also in Lauderdale and Palm Beach as we move through South Florida during the week.
Stay with us.
This is gonna be a VERY exciting year!

Nader: The Man Who Made Bush President

Ten years ago this week the United States Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision settled the case of Bush v. Gore and gave George W. Bush the presidency.
It was the closest presidential election in American history.
Still, with more than 100 million votes cast, Al Gore best Bush in the popular vote by more than half a million votes.
But the all-important 2000 electoral vote was much closer and that vote came down to little more than 500 ballots in the state of Florida. When the Supreme Court ordered the end of an ongoing recount in Florida, the election was effectively over. Thus, Bush won Florida and the presidency.
But who really deprived Gore of winning Florida? Well, it was probably Green Party candidate Ralph Nader. You see, Nader captured 97,000 votes in Florida. That would have been more than enough to put Gore over the top in the sunshine state. Indeed, there's little likelihood Bush would have captured many of those votes.
Third party candidates never win. But they can be devastatingly effective spoilers.
Remember this when 2012 rolls around.

Marco Rubio Kicks Off New Era For The GOP

While the Democrats saddle along with nasty old Harry and the nightmare known as Nancy, the Republican majority looks forward to a new day and a new era for America.