THE BROWARD BUBBLE

Change

2008-11-16T16:43:00.001-05:00

Clearly its been some time since this site was updated. This site will remain down until the new year when a MAJOR change is coming...

Thursday Round-Up

2008-09-25T14:49:00.001-04:00

that was the temp in Pompano this morning. Could there be a chill coming our way??? Lets hope so! Is anyone else a little unhappy about the sub-tropical system brewing off the coast of the Carolinas? Hello--summer's over....

In other news, Mac launches its new line "Suite Array" and Creme Sheen today. Creme sheen has my vote of confidence, with Creme d'Nude looking especially Mad-Men (the aforementioned is really a Betty Draper color. If you're looking to mimic Ms. Holloway's subtly-yet-steamy look, check out BellaSugar's entry here ). Stop by the counter @ the Broward Mall today and ask for Michelle--she absolutely rocks!

In still other news, we'd like to give a bubbly THUMBS UP to Johanna, the bar tender at Starters (located on Powerline Road just north of Sample in Pompano Beach). This girl can mix a MEAN banana-split cocktail and STILL get you back to work on time. Be sure to check out Starters (non-smoking side, please!) and ask for Johanna.

News & Views

2008-09-24T08:42:00.002-04:00

In case you've been under a rock since yesterday, there was an oil spill in Ft. Lauderdale and as a result the water is undrinkable. They say its suitable for bathing and cleaning but I wouldn't risk it. This only concerns Fort. Lauderdale...here's a link to the story. CLICK!

IN OTHER NEWS: We've been talking about how things change in Florida during the Fall and one thing I've noticed tends to ramp up is "street art" aka "graffiti." Yesterday on the way home, I darn-near killed myself, having been distracted by an awesome "Dose-Smerk" piece that seemed to appear overnight on I-95 North Bound, just south of the Sample Road Exit. This is nothing special for our neighbors to the south (305), but it seems that in recent weeks graf is EVERYWHERE. So here's an open call: BUK50, CHROME, DOSE, MSG, (NORMEL--are you still around?), SMERK -- if any of you would like to do an anonymous interview with the Bubble send an email to: ftlauderdaleword@gmail.com. In the mean time: have a look-see and let me know what you think in the comments section.

Apples to Oranges

2008-09-23T10:51:00.002-04:00

Last night over a bowl of soup,

our favorite northern-transplant, Miss X, announced she's going home a for a visit. "To see the season change," she said, musing over planned visits to the apple orchards, fresh fried donuts and even fresher pressed Cider. We don't have apple orchards in Florida--in fact, last winter on a trip to NY, I was so stunned by the site of a "real live apple tree" in someones yard that I begged the driver to pull over so I could snap a picture. No, we don't have apple orchards in Florida, we do, however, have Orange Groves...and Fall in Florida means Citrus Season. With that in mind, we've set out a few of our favorite Orange recipes below, so you can enjoy seasonal cooking a la Florida.

Orange-Butternut Soup

I make this soup every Fall, and its very easy to change up. The recipe below incorporates our orange theme, but this soup is just as good 'Island' style, with coconut milk and curry powder, or southwest style, with smoked chilies and crema fresca. (Serves 4)

1 medium butternut squash, cut into chunks

1 cinnamon stick

1 medium orange, peeled (reserve peel) and juiced (reserve juice)

Fresh cracked pepper, sea salt

Olive Oil

4 tbsp butter (divided)

1 can Campbell's chicken broth

1 small white onion

1 garlic clove, chopped

½ c. heavy cream

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp cayenne pepper

3 tbsp sugar, divided

Cut squash into chunks. Place 2 tbsp oil in the bottom of an oven safe pan. Add cinnamon stick and ½ of the orange peel to pan. Add squash, and sprinkle with salt/pepper. Roast in a High-Broil set oven for 10-15 min, or until squash is fork tender. Remove from oven. Place squash in blender with butter and blend, adding chicken broth in portions, to smooth out mixture.

In a soup pot, add 2 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp butter and place over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and cinnamon stick (the one that roasted previously) to pot and cook on medium-low until onions are translucent.

Pour in the Squash mixture and stir. Add orange juice, cream, cumin, cayenne pepper, 2 tbsp sugar and reduce heat to low.

Meanwhile, julienne remaining orange peel. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 tsp water. Add Orange peels and cook down.

Plate soup and top with candied orange peels.

Orange-Fennel-Avocado Salad

This is a simple salad that comes together in minutes, tastes light and fresh and forgives the fact that it's still in the 90's outside. If you've never had Fennel, its flavor is a lot like anise (remember tea of anise estrellado growing up?) and if you don't know anise but you're from South Florida, you've probably had ouzo (yeah, I saw you at Opas…), which is distilled with anise. The flavor plays nicely with orange and the firm Navel orange texture pairs well with crisp fennel and smooth avocado. (Serves 4)

1 ½ tbsp white wine vinegar

Fresh cracked black pepper / Sea salt to taste

¼ cup olive oil

1 orange, peeled and de-pithed

1 fresh fennel bulb (3/4 lb), stems discarded

1 firm, medium sized avocado, peeled and pitted

Mix vinegar and oil, salt, pepper, set aside. Cut orange in half and then into very thin cross slices (you should end up with half circle shaped slices). Cut fennel bulb lengthwise and then again cross wise (same as the orange). Cut the avocado into small chunks, and toss all ingredients with dressing. Mmmm!

Fall Sanga-rita

Sanga-rita (so named after one of its drinkers mispronounced the word Sangria) is kind of famous in Pompano Beach; this is a seasonal version of the drink, featuring oranges and cinnamon. If you're daring, substitute the cinnamon for a handful of anise stars and the 1 cup of Brandy for ½ c. Anisette and ½ Brandy. Serve chilled with "Frozen Orange Chunks" (recipe included) and remember to enjoy responsibly!

1 jug of table Zinfandel (you know the kind, bottom shelf at Publix…)

1 can of frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

½ cup Orange Liquor (not the cheap stuff)

1 cup Brandy

2 Oranges, Sliced (circular slices) + 1 orange, cut in half

3 Cinnamon Sticks

In a bowl, mix ½ Orange juice concentrate with 1 cup water. Use this mix to fill an ice tray to create "Frozen Orange chunks. If you're doing the Anise-flavored version of this recipe, discussed in the intro, place one anise-star into each ice cube mold. Freeze.

Pour all the Zin (except for 1 cup) into a large glass pitcher. Take the reserved 1 cup and place in a small sauce pan. Squeeze the juice of the halved orange into the pan (no seeds, please) and then place the used orange shells into the pan with the wine along with the 3 cinnamon sticks. SIMMER ON LOW for 5-10 min.

In the mean time, add remaining orange juice concentrate to the wine and mix well. Add Brandy and Orange Liquor. Remove wine from stove and toss orange shells. Carefully pour this liquid and the cinnamon sticks into the Pitcher. Mix well. Toss in sliced oranges and chill.

When ready to serve, add the Frozen Orange Chunks to the pitcher, this will keep your drink cool without diluting the flavor.

FLORIDA DOES FALL

2008-09-22T14:03:00.001-04:00

It's officially Fall 2008

(as of 11:15am this morning)...and yes, its as hot as ever out side. While there do not appear to be signs of cooler winds prevailing any time soon, the question remains:How does Florida do Fall? Clearly wool slacks and knee boots are (mostly) out of the question--and yet it IS time to pack away our summer dresses and surf shorts.

The next few days will be dedicated to how Florida does Fall. In particular, how BROWARD ushers in the new season. Today: Community Events! Below the Bubble has rounded up this weekends events that are bound to put you in a balmy state of mind.

Hollywood bids farewell to Summer with a Board Walk Clam-Bake this weekend. Admission is free and there will be live musical entertainment, including the smooth Samba styling of the Rose Max Band (of "Upstairs at the Van Dyke" fame) and indie-song writer sensation (and regular Davie performer) Shawn Snyder--if nothing else come out to see these two performers.

Nothing says Fall like Leather Jackets, and you can count on seeing plenty of them when the Broward County Film Society screens "Rebel without a Cause" on Saturday the 27th at Cinema Paradiso as part of a Tribute to James Dean. Admission includes entry to the classic car show.

Pembroke Pines kicks of the season with a "Fall Arts & Crafts" Show, held at SW Focal Point Senior Center (off Pines behind Sedanos!). More info here .

ArtServe hosts its annual Art!Bravo exhibit starting on Thursday, Sept. 25th. Click here for calendar.

If the changing season has you feeling a little subversive check out the Wilton Manors Library's displays for Banned Book Week, Sept 27-Oct. 4th . Displays in both the adult and the children's section of the Library feature books that were all at one time or another banned by "the man"...and if you're still feeling bookish, pop over to the Oakland Park Main Library for their used book sale. The event is from 9AM-2PM and includes DVDs, LPs, Books and Cassette Tapes (remember those?). All proceeds go directly to the library.

Keep your eyes open for more fall themed entries this week. And feel free to let us know how YOU do fall in the comments section.

Be a Wok Star this Friday

2008-09-12T07:00:00.002-04:00

When's the last time you had GOOD Chinese food? I mean, REALLY good? Not PF Changs or Pei Wei, ether....thats what we thought... Put down the take-out menu and let (celebrity) Chef Eleanor Hoh turn you into a Wok Star faster than you can say "deliver, please."

Hoh's approach is like a culinary jam session: no measuring, counting or recipe cards here--just quick, tasty meals that are healthy and easy to clean up.

Class is on Friday (9/12) at 7:30pm, Chef Jean-Pierre's Cooking School on Federal Highway in Pompano Beach; seats are $85.

Reserve online at www.chefjeanpierre.com.

Visit Chef Hoh's website here

Lipstick & Pigs...

2008-09-11T11:08:00.002-04:00

With all this talk about pigs and lipsticks, we just couldn't resist. But don't worry: no politics here! We're talking budgets today. Everyone could stand to save a little more dough. Last night I watched our Resident ROver toss a salad and ponder how to fit fall wardrobe essentials into a tight budget. I myself have had to accept that spending $250 on a pair of boots, however lovely they may be, (and they ARE quite lovely) is unreasonable here in the Sunshine State. Our version of Fall/Winter involves fleeting cold fronts that thaw out by mid-day . What to do??

Consider this the first in a multi-part series, culminating on the first day of fall with a photo spread of Fall fashion translated for Florida weather. Today we begin with one of the Bubble's FAVORITE budget fashion sites: "The Cheap Chica."

If you've never heard of TCC, you don't know what you're missing. Weekly printable coupons, the low down on BUDGET-FRIENDLY fashion finds, a social networking site and did we mention PRINTABLE COUPON CODES? Plus, la chica gets much love for being a Florida native. Check out her website here.

Are you the next American Idol?

2008-09-09T00:07:00.004-04:00

Test your chops @ the Chocolate Moose Cafe's "Open Mic Gong Wild"

2-4-1 drafts (Amberbock, Budlight, Miller Light and Yuengling) 7-9PM and $5 pitchers from 9PM-1AM.

Each wanna be gets 15 minutes, or 3 songs and original material is encouraged. Mr. Mica M moderates with a gong--yes, a gong--and the tone deaf had better watch out!

Bottom line: CMC is more than a coffee shop. With open mic nights, local bands and, wine, beer and an assortment of Broward's more interesting residents it's a can't miss.

Check out the website here. The Chocolate Moose Cafe is located 9118 SR 84 in the Ridge Plaza (just off 595, in the same plaza as the Round Up Country Western Bar).

(954) 474-5040.

NOTE: If you're carrying plastic, there's a $10 minimum.

Fort Lauderdale: Monday Happy Hour

2008-09-08T06:30:00.001-04:00

Say Aloha to Mai-Kai's weekday happy hour!

Half off appetizers, buy one get one free drinks. Special runs from 5PM-7pm.

3599 North Federal Highway

Fort Lauderdale, (954) 563-3272

www.maikai.com

Broward County: Ike

2008-09-07T14:06:00.004-04:00

So...we all have to go back to work tomorrow, ay? I'll have another Ike-arita, please!

1 1/2 cups gold tequila
3/4 cup Triple Sec
3/4 cup fresh lime juice
4 tablespoons sugar
8 cups crushed ice
2 tablespoons kosher salt
6 lime wedges

Combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and 2 tablespoons sugar in large pitcher; stir to dissolve sugar. Add crushed ice. Mix salt and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in shallow bowl. Moisten rim of 6 Margarita glasses with lime wedge. Holding each glass upside down, dip rim into sugar-salt mixture. Pour Margarita into glasses. Garnish with lime wedges.

B-FIX: An Affair to Remember

2008-09-06T11:41:00.000-04:00

Revlon Nail Enamel in Midnight Affair ($4)

What it is:

An inky equivalent to falls vampy shades. Navy base, minimal shimmer.

What I'm loving:

This polish dries in a flash, costs next to nothing and covers about as well as OPI. The nearly-black shade of blue is trend-right for fall and when paired with short nails, subdued enough for office wear.

Comparable to:

Nicole by OPI in Razzle Dazzler $7,

Nars Midnight Express $16

A WORD ABOUT OPI:

The closest OPI match is Russian Navy, described as 'deep indigo' on their website, the polish wears a lot more like purple. So, if you're looking for a dark navy, avoid this shade.

B-Fix: Spa Chic Broward

2008-09-01T23:28:00.000-04:00

If you spent the last four days flipping between WSVN and the Weather Channel, chances are you could use a massage.

Check out Fort Lauderdale's Spa Chic! $99 gets you into some of Browards top spa's for some pretty nifty services.

Bubbles Pick: Spa Atlantic's Marie Antoinette

Pick from Chocolate, Strawberry or Lavender Body Scrub, followed by Marshmallow Hydrating Body Masque and topped off with a Milk and Honey Body Icing.

Sounds like a sweet deal to me. Get your info here. Lauderdale Spa Chic runs from September 1-30th. Parallel deal includes spa "stays" at reduced rates with a welcome package from the City of Fort Lauderdale. Watch the promotional video here.

WEEKENDER: We Want the Funk

2008-08-28T11:39:00.000-04:00

Vogue Magazine Covers through the 1970's

Looking for something to do now that you've cancelled your weekend Hurricane Party (thanks for nothing, Gustav!)?

Join us @ Respectable Street this Sunday for

70's Funk Disco Labor Day Party

No Cover, but you MUST come in costume.

More Info: http://www.respectablestreet.com/

TRENDSPOT: Summer Scarf

2008-08-01T11:38:00.000-04:00

Who is importing this hot trend straight from the streets of NYLA? Our resident ROver, of course.

Skip the necklace and toss a light weight scarf over a pair of lean jeans and tank or tee for a cool look thats hot this summer.

Take a cue from Kate, Giselle and Jessica here: keep all other acceories minimal (including your hair, ladies).

But this is FLORIDA, you dispair, land of tripple digit temps and near impossible humidity!!! You're absolutely right, and that's the genius of this trend: lightweight scarves made of silk or cotton actually draw moisture and heat away from the body.

Need help tying this one on? Click here for detailed instructions on various tying styles.