Also on Wednesday evening from 5 p.m.-10 p.m., on their gorgeous riverfront patio, Waxy’s is still hosting their popular Bubbles N’ Barbecue Ladies Night, featuring a backyard style barbecue, complimentary bubbly for the ladies and the sultry tunes of local guitarist Mike Colucci.   A mere $12 gets all guests a piping hot plate of fresh ‘que and choice of drink/cocktail.   Fresh BBQed goodies change weekly and include shrimp and pineapple skewers, grilled cedar plank salmon, burgers, hot dogs, steaks, veggies, sides, etc.

Waxy’s on the River is located riverside in the Neo Vertika building, at 690 SW 1st Court in downtown Miami.  Lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. – 5 a.m., seven days a week.  Valet and municipal parking available.  Telephone (786) 871-7660; www.waxys.com

Cameras automatically photograph the rear of a vehicle and the license plate when a digital device detects the car is inside an intersection after the light turns red. The most frequent ticketed violation is not actually running a red light but failure to come to a full stop behind the painted line prior to executing a right turn while a light is red. Right turns on red are legal in Florida (unless otherwise posted) only after bringing the vehicle to a complete stop BEHIND the white line of the intersection.

To avoid a computer generated traffic violation showing up in your mailbox, drive safely and be extra careful of cameras monitoring the following Miami Beach intersections:

1. Washington Avenue at 17th Street – eastbound
2. Washington Avenue at 17th Street – southbound
3. Chase Avenue and Alton Road – northbound
4. 63rd Street and Indian Creek Drive – southbound
5. 41st Street and Prairie Avenue – northbound
6. 71st Street and Indian Creek Drive – northbound
7. Dade Boulevard and 23rd Street – westbound
8. Alton Road and 17th Street – westbound

On Monday, Lincoln Road’s pedestrian experience expanded to a new block at its western edge between Lenox Avenue and Alton Road. As part of a public/private partnership, the City of Miami Beach and UIA Management/Robert Wennett, developer of 1111 Lincoln Road, open the new promenade and public plaza at the 1100 Block of Lincoln Road. The block was previously a vehicular street, which was closed and replaced with a new pedestrian plaza, in keeping with the Lincoln Road blocks to the east that expand to Washington Avenue.

One of the newest additions to Lincoln Road dining is Juvia Restaurant in the 1111 building–the view is fantastic!

“We are very excited to unveil and open this extraordinarily beautiful west entrance to our historic landmark — 12 months ahead of schedule,” said Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower.

The new plaza features interactive public art by New York artist Dan Graham. A water garden with native trees and other features use Morris Lapidus’ legendary designs as inspirations. Other features include special lighting, a Pedra Portuguesa finished surface, new sidewalks and curbs, and drainage improvements. In addition to the pedestrian plaza expansion, the developer built a new, multi-use structure on the north end that adds 250 parking spaces and includes retail, residential and office space at 1111 Lincoln Road.

Raymond Jungles, a Miami-based landscape architect, designed the public plaza and pedestrian promenade in collaboration with Swiss-based architectural firm of Herzog & de Meuron, the architect of the 1111 Lincoln Road project. Herzog & de Meuron are the designers of the Bird’s Nest Stadium for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the Miami Art Museum.

The City of Miami Beach entered into a development agreement with UIA Management LLC on March 14, 2007 for the design, development and construction of improvements to the Lenox to Alton Road portion of Lincoln Road. The total project cost of $6.2 million was funded by Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency (Historic Convention Village/City Center RDA).

##

NEW PUBLIC PLAZA AND PROMENADE
Raymond Jungles, a Miami-based landscape architect, designed the public plaza and pedestrian promenade in collaboration with Swiss-based architectural firm of Herzog & de Meuron. The new pedestrian plaza is highly organic in nature, including groupings of mature cypress and oak trees surrounded by ponds of water. The black and white striped pavement pattern is composed of pedro portugesa stones, each individually hand laid in the style of both, Roberto Burle Marx, the visionary Brazilian landscape designer of Copacabana and Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Morris Lapidus streetscape pattern for Lincoln Road.

Conceptual artist Dan Graham was commissioned to create an interactive reflective glass pavilion situated in the middle of the public plaza.  The pavilion is shaped as a peanut in homage to the Fontainebleau’s original pool and is titled  “Morris’“ after architect Morris Lapidus. The artwork was commissioned as part of the Miami Beach Art in Public Places (AIPP) program.  This program is sponsored by the City of Miami Beach and exhibits works of art in public places other than museums to enrich the public environment.

CAR PARK @ 1111 Lincoln Road

Concurrent to the launch of the new promenade and public plaza is the opening of the Car Park at 1111 Lincoln Road, a project by developer Robert S. Wennett, president of UIA Management. The Car Park is at the heart of  Wennett’s visionary new structure encompassing retail, parking, residential and office spaces located at the 1100 block of Lincoln Road.  Wennett’s objective was not only to create a unique shop-work-live experience, but also to build a fully open architectural structure with breathtaking panoramic views surrounded by public spaces that are both wholly original and welcoming – a unique urban experience. Wennett engaged the Pritzker-Prize winning architects Herzog & de Meuron to design 1111 Lincoln Road.  Among the firm‘s most widely recognized projects are the transformation of a power plant into Tate Modern in London, the de Young Museum in San Francisco, and more recently the National Olympic Stadium in Beijing. The architect of record is Miami-based Charles Benson & Associates.

The Car Park is open to the public 24 hours a day. The hourly rates are: up to one hour, $4.00; up to two hours, $8.00; up to three hours, $10.00; up to six hours, $15.00; up to 12 hours, $25.00; and up to 24 hours, $30.00.

RETAIL/OFFICE SpACE

1111 Lincoln Road hosts 40,000 square feet for 13 retail concept stores; 110,000 square feet of office space; a 300-space multilevel parking facility; four restaurants, one on the roof top with ocean and bay views; an event space for concerts and art openings; and five high-end residences.

Office space is occupied by creative office tenants like MTV and Nickelodeon Latin America.  Retail and Restaurant space is leased by MAC Cosmetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Estee Lauder; Tokyo-based Adidas Y3, the Yohji Yamamoto line of footwear and apparel; Journelle, a New York based women’s lingerie store; Osklen, the contemporary casual lifestyle apparel from Brazil; Coltorti and italian multibrand designer boutique; Alchemist featuring Rick Owens, Martin Margiela and Chrome Hearts; Swiss-based Nespresso, the European espresso and food bar; Taschen Books from Germany; Inkanta design store; Babalu gift store; Artsee Eyewear from the New York Meatpacking district; and Shake Shack, the burger and shake Danny Meyer concept from New York.

Before Red suffers the fate of Manny’s of Minneapolis (which surrendered this year after giving away thousands of free oysters at happy hour), they’re trying to find a key element to capture the imagination of local diners not already swayed by two-for-one cocktails weeknights and $9 appetizers at the bar. Taking advantage of some prime rooftop real estate to reel in a summertime crowd, Sundays at Red will now feature a casual rooftop barbeque starting at 7pm.

Executive Chef Peter Vauthy will fire up the BBQ on the rooftop of the SoFi steakhouse and throw on kabobs of Angus beef filet, racks of baby back ribs and skewers of chile marinated shrimp to send a flavorful smoke signal out to hungry diners all over South Beach. Summer barbeques seem like a natural part of any weekend and the laid back atmosphere of an outdoor dinner should attract a loyal weekly following. Owner Brad Friedlander hopes a cold beer, some good music and the smell of the grill is the key element to Red’s success. Bartenders will mix up a specialty summer cocktail menu including fresh fruit sangria and the kitchen will send out corn on the cob and Yukon Gold potato salad to add to the heady mix.

To fight back the summertime blues, Go Red!

Red the Steakhouse is located at 119 Washington Avenue on South Beach. Rooftop BBQs start Sundays at 7pm. Weeknight happy hours run from 4-7pm at the bar. Reservations 305-534-3688.

The projects includes:

• Demolishing and replacing the existing Tennis Center and 17 tennis courts
• Installing new lighting
• Installing new drainage.

The project is expected to be completed in about 12 months.

The work and the contractor’s staging area will be contained and fenced off on the courts being reconstructed. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the area at all times. Construction work and road closures will occur during daytime hours, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Any extended work hours, weekends and/or holidays are subject to City approval and HOA notification.

Large machinery and equipment will be hauled in to the area; any impact to roadways adjacent to the park will be notified to the surrounding neighborhood. Please note that this schedule may change due to extreme weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.

For more information, please contact Alicia Cuervo, EI, at 954-797-0410 or via email at Alicia@Pirtleconstruction.com

Look for future events and other Miami Beach Parks and Recreation programming in your Recreation Review magazine, call our main office at 305-673-7730 or visit our website at  www.miamibeachparks.com.

Select a seat in the spacious dining room or dine outside on the lovely garden patio and enjoy a succulent herb roasted turkey with homemade gravy, cranberry-balsamic marmalade and a selection of FIVE side dishes to share at the table. Husband and wife chefs Frank and Andrea Curto-Randazzo are crafting yukon gold mashed potatoes, Italian sausage and sweet onion stuffing, brown sugar bourbon sweet potatoes, cheesy broccoli casserole, almond studded green beans, roast brussels sprouts and a crisp and garlicky caesar salad to help fill your several starch requirement. Did we mention your table gets FIVE selections?!

Once you’ve feasted upon all the gourmet classics, share some pumpkin, chocolate pecan or Florida key lime pie topped with fresh berries. Talula provides a lot of delicious choices to help make guests feel thankful. Dinner service starts at 3pm through a very civilized 9pm so early birds and night owls can celebrate the best of the season in the warm embrace of the family… and nobody gets stuck doing the dishes.

We wish each of you every happiness of the holiday!

Talula Restaurant is located at 210 23 Street just across the street from the brand new W Hotel on South Beach. To reserve your spot at Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday November 26, call 305-672-0778

Luna Corner Pizza opened on November 16, 2009 and brings gourmet Italian pizzas to the MiMo District. The fast casual restaurant offers guests a “taste of Italy” with its fresh, authentic pies and exceptional customer service. The Neapolitan-style pizzas are made with top-shelf, high quality ingredients imported from Italy, including multi-grain dough, extra virgin olive oil, Italian meats and cheeses and organic San Marzano tomatoes. Created, baked and ready in under five minutes, the pizzas serve 4 to 5 people with half size options and by the slice. Luna Corner Pizza is ideal for on-the-go patrons, with quick and easy pick-up or delivery available.

Luna Corner Pizza’s location, 69th and Biscayne, is the first domestic outpost for the Amatruda family. The family has been specializing in the art of pizza making in Crema, Italy for over 40 years. They opened the first Luna Pizzeria in 1968, when the idea of the “pizza” was still unknown. The family decided to expand their business and launch Luna Corner Pizza internationally in China and France. Luna Corner Pizza stays true to the Amatruda family’s authentic Italian pizza pie, making them one of the most sought after delicacies.

Luna Corner Pizza offers five signature flavors and weekly specialty pizzas. Menu options will include the Margherita (Italian style mozzarella, Italian style Parmigianino and fresh basil), Salciccia (Italian style mozzarella, Italian sausage, onion and fresh basil), Hawaiano (Italian style mozzarella, prosciutto cotto and fresh pineapple), Salame Piccante (Italian style mozzarella, salame piccante and fresh basil) and more. Weekly specials may include pizzas such as the Napoli (Italian style mozzarella, capers, anchovies, olives and basil) and Verdure (Italian style mozzarella, green pepper, eggplant, zucchini, onion and basil). The restaurant also serves authentic Italian desserts by the famed Dolcemio by La Donatella, such as apple pie, profiteroles, tiramisu and chocolate mousse. Guests can also enjoy sparkling Italian sodas, San Pellegrino and more.

The design was inspired by modern Italian aesthetics with contemporary LED lighting illuminating the colorful space. The focal point is the state-of-the-art kiosk, with a traditional Italian stone oven. LCD television screens and insightful quotes from legendary Italian personalities, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Giorgio Armani, Andrea Bocelli and Sophia Loren, accent the walls.

Luna Corner Pizza is located at 6815 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33138. To place your order or for more information, please call 305.507.9209 or visit www.lunacornerpizza.com.

The Book Fair fills the streets surrounding the Downtown Miami Wolfson Campus of Dade College with hundreds of smarty pants who wander from booth to booth and seminar to seminar  in celebration of writers and writing during the all-star weekend. This year’s street fair kicks off Friday November 13  but the special events leading up to the fair are already underway.

“Evenings With…” highlights some of the most popular authors who read from their works, discuss the writing process and answer questions from the crowd following  the presentation. Tickets to these special events are just $10 and can be scooped up at the Book Fair website. Monday night, food writer Ruth Reichl appears at 6pm followed by Barbara Kingsolver at 8pm. Tuesday night Jeannette Walls reads from her new memoir at 7:30. Wednesday at 7:30, novelist Richard Powers will appear and Thursday actress Isabella Rossellini takes the stage at 7pm.

Before each evening’s presentations, enjoy a free glass of wine and some gourmet  nibbles at the Twilight Tastings from 5-7pm on the Chapman Center 5th Floor Terrace.

See You at the Fair!

Evenings With… are held all this week at the Chapman Conference Center, 300 NE 2 Avenue (Building 3) on the Wolfson Campus of Miami Dade College in Downtown Miami. For tickets and details, log onto http://miamibookfair.com/events/festivalofauthors/eveningswith.aspx

Saturday features live concerts with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts plus Blue Oyster Cult. Sunday it’s all about country when Tracy Lawrence and Chuck Wicks take the stage. Head out this weekend for a great  family-style picnic with horseshoes, horse &  buggy rides, relay races and even a hayride around  the park. Twelve award-winning smoke masters will compete for your tastebuds with sweet, smoky and spicy rib recipes. This year’s competitors include Pig In Pig Out, The Aussome Aussie, Smoke & Spice, Porky n’ Beans  and many more. In addition to the live concerts, guests can participate in a motorcycle rally, a classic car show and a horse show. The performance schedule for RIBFEST (subject to change):

Saturday

11:00 a.m. – Doors Open
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Fire Brigade
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – The Fit
3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. – Tokyo Monster Control
4:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – School of Rock
6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. – Synchronicity
7:15 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. – Blue Oyster Cult
8:45 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Joan Jett and The BlackHearts

Sunday

11:00 a.m. – Doors Open
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Southern Drawl
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Amber Leigh
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Chuck Wicks
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Tracey Lawrence

Homestead Air Reserve Park is located at Moody Drive (268 Street) and SW 122 Avenue. RIBFEST runs Saturday at 11am-10pm and Sunday 11am-6pm.