Florida's Only Source for Everything British

 
AMERICA'S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER FOR THE BRITISH COMMUNITY IN ALL 50 STATES. 
Patricia Kawaja is the Florida Columnist----read her her l2008 columns below. 

 
FLORIDA COLUMN JULY 2008 issue by Patricia Kawaja 
Our British accent—to the American ear it conveys greater authority and sex appeal, as you may have noticed.  But apparently other expats here are jealous.  A male Britpal in Miami gave me an  Esquire Magazine article  too satisfying not to share.  It adds another layer to British-German rivalry:

ENGLISHMEN IN AMERICA by The Angry German.  [Best read aloud in a German accent, says Esquire].    DEAR AMERICANS Please—if you hear someone speak with an English accent, it does not make them smart by default.   There are millions of people in England who are complete idiots, yet they speak with an English accent. In my group at work we have an Englishman called Simon.  It regularly happens that I propose something in a staff meeting in my Arnold [Schwarzenneger] accent and he jumps in literally a minute later and says the exact same F***ing thing and everybody nods and says ”Yeah, Simon is right—this is the way we should do it.”   Really, if your forefathers had had the same reaction, you’d still be reporting to Buckingham Palace. Whereas I want to drown this Simon in Pimms   Women seem to take the English accent as an aphrodisiac.  In my German accent I can say “Hey I work for an investment bank, have my own place and write a column in Esquire Magazine “ but get no response. Whereas buttugly Brit Mr. Winterbottom to my side says “ I am on parole and need to buy some coke—care to help me out?” As long as he says it with a Brit accent it is guaranteed that she will go home with him and fund his addiction.  Please dear Yanks, take this advice to heart. Now, I myself have many English friends and I can take the accent thing, as long as they continue to be the biggest underperformers in world sports. “   ESQUIRE FOOTNOTE: The author is a German who has been living in the US for 10 years. He is often angry. May 2008 issue.

 Say I:  It’s a joy to beat the Germans at something.  Can’t gloat back to 1945 forever.  Shame there’s no World Cup for Accents.     FLIGHTS TO BERMUDA from Ft. Lauderdale have just started, operated by Zoom Airlines.  Direct flights to the beautiful British island are on Thursdays and Sundays only.  INFO: www.flyzoom.com    ORLANDO:  British-American Chamber of Commerce has various business and social events. Call Justine Assal, the BACC's Vice-President for details [407] 908-4187.      HEADING BACK TO UK JUST FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT.   I am disturbed by the number of longtime Florida Brits I hear, winging it without medical insurance,  declaring they’ll just hop on a plane back to UK if necessary.  So I alert you to this:  “ In 2004, Britons living abroad were caught in a drive by the UK Government to cut “health tourism” New regulations barred access to the NHS, except in emergencies, to British expatriates.  For non-emergencies, you now have to show you spend at least nine months a year in the UK. According to the Department of Health, the fact that an expat might have paid a lifetime’s National Insurance subscriptions is irrelevant”. -----FROM AN ARTICLE IN EXPAT TELEGRAPH of Feb.  2008.  [Find current info on the National Health Service website  www.nhs.uk]      PALM BEACH FAB FOUR BEATLES TRIBUTE SHOW.  There are droves of these Beatles tribute bands around. [The most brilliant one I ever saw is called RAIN].    For this Fab Four, the press blurb says :" With amazing attention to detail, the stars of the Fab Four Beatles Tribute replicate the famous Liverpool sound and look with all the charm and youthful wit that made the Beatles a household name." So Beatles experts, go and see if these fakers could fool Yoko blindfolded.  LOCATION: Kravis Centre, West Palm Beach.  DATE: July 17, 2008 at 8p.m. TICKETS 1-800-572-8471 or choose your seat on www.kravis.org        THE BRITISH NETWORK-MIAMI, for anybody who wants to make British contacts, business and social.  Join local British professionals for a useful and enjoyable evening----a roomful of Brits is never dull!   Hosted by Florida Association of British Business [FABB] DATES: Tuesday July 29 and August 26, 2008 from 6.30 to 9p.m.  ENTRY COST: Free.  LOCATION: The Doubletree Grand Hotel in their Bleu Moon Resto-Bar, downtown Miami. For invitation send email to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it      UK-USA CULTURE CORNER----1]  American terms which have a different meaning in the UK, have always tickled me.  A sad headline in my local paper had me giggling instead:  POPULAR MIAMI BEACH POLICE CHIEF DIES ON THE JOB.   To us Brits, the last 3 words would prove his popularity…………..with women.   2]  An American lady sent this question to the Miami Herald Kitchen Q & A page: “When serving wine to guests at home, what is the appropriate amount?”  The columnist answered with a complicated formula based on what one eats, how many people etc. to calculate how many glasses.  No British hostess would send in such a daft question to a newspaper in the first place.  Because where we come from, the answer is obvious:  Until the  guests slide sated under the table.           MICK JAGGER’S DAUGHTER JADE, to whom money is never going to be an object, has just launched a drink in a famous Miami Beach nightclub, popular with British tourists. Recession, what recession?  She teamed up with Belvedere Vodka to create the Jagger Dagger.  When you order a magnum of the vodka, a $250,000 ice pick is presented to you. A giant block of ice is rolled out and tableside bartenders start ice-picking,  wearing Jade’s fashion collection. The dagger itself boasts an 18 Karat while gold hilt studded with 12 carats of brilliant cut-diamonds, 42 pieces of pale sapphire and blue lapis lazuli square inlays above the blade. The handle is bound with twisted white gold and more jewels.  Hmmmm. Don’t expect to hear a bunch of Brits from Bognor yelling out “A round of Jagger Daggers, Mate.”          BRITISH SUPERSTAR GEORGE MICHAEL will perform at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise [west Ft. Lauderdale] on August 3 and Tampa on August 2, 2008. This is his first USA tour in 17 years and coincides with the release of his new album.  Dubbed “a master class in pop genius” by the London Observer, George Michael is a hugely talented star,  attracting admirers in countries and toilets across the globe. Naughty, Patricia.  Announcing the tour, he said: “The 90s were a bit of a disaster for me in so many ways. On a personal level, I don’t think I could have toured. Also I had some physical problems and just wasn’t in the right state of mind.”  Find more on his website www.georgemichael.com  TOUR TICKETS/INFO  on promoter’s website www.livenation.com and see display ad in this issue.   [CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Performed 80 shows in 12 European countries over past year.  One of the most successful and enduring careers in music history, 85 million sold globally, seven USA number one singles, two Grammy awards, three American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Award and two prestigious Ivor Novello awards for songwriting. His record "Faith" sold over 20 million copies alone, plus 11 British number one singles and seven British number one albums, the most played British artist on radio during the last 20 years].                                             NEWS OF THE BOOZE  Lion and Eagle Pub in Boca Raton [561] 447-7707 has  a new after many years. Previous owner Marty Compton, who ran  a wonderful pub and whom I liked enormously, sold it to Rob Allen, a local Brit.  I raise my champagne glass to your future success, Rob.           BRITISH CLUBS SPOTLIGHT:  There are over a hundred in Florida, of various size, efficiency and focus.  I’ll feature a couple here each month. [For the one nearest you, email me name/city/phone].  NAPLES British Club Call Kathy [239] 601-7731   email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it TAMPA BRITISH CLUB [AKA British Commonwealth Society] Call Wenda Forrest [727] 939-0362 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   DUNEDIN TBPA TransAtlantic Brides and Parents Association. Call Pat (727) 735-0076.  email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it        BRITISH RADIO SHOW IN MIAMI.  A new show, called Best of Original British Sounds, plays 100% British music - rock, indie, punk, dance, house, oldies and more. The male British host is Nivv Oudit, based in Miami.  Find those favourite Britbeats on  WRGP 95.3 Radiate FM  every Sunday from 4-7pm.    

 
FLORIDA COLUMN JUNE 2008 by Patricia Kawaja    

Ask any 10 Americans in your life this question:  “Do you know what the word Twat means?”   I anticipate they’ll tell you NO.  Now read on:  
Twat is a mild British swear word, common in the UK but virtually unknown in America. But, according to a report in the Miami Herald, it incensed into a purple rage attorney Abbe Rifkin.  She spotted a pickup truck with a vanity plate containing the word.  “I literally almost drove off the road, “ she said. “it is a vulgar term for female genitalia and I was offended.”  The 51 year old Miami assistant district attorney photographed the tag on her cellphone. “Very little shocks me, “ she said.  Oh really?? Then why didn’t she just laugh it off? It was on a vehicle, not said to a woman.  Context is all, here.                     She ranted on:  “For 28 years, I’ve prosecuted murderers, rapists and child molesters. I’m not a prude. I’m all for freedom of expression. Bet there are certain words that are so objectionable and so disgusting and have no redeeming social value—and that’s one.” [Agreed, but this wasn’t the vile C-word. just the silly little-known T-word.  Next, Rifkin complained to Florida’s DHSMV which issues licence plates.   The offending plate belonged to ex-Marine war hero Stewart Tabares, who served in the Tactical Wire Assault Team.  Note the initials.  The men in this unit are called TWATS, [don’t giggle UJ readers]  and this plate is an established Marine corps speciality purchase.  Which reinforces the fact that the word is not an American swear word.  Otherwise, can you imagine tough US Marines calling themselves after anything female?    
        But back to the Motor Vehicle Department.  Receiving Attorney Rifkin’s complaint,  Palmer Brand, Florida’s Assistant Chief of Titles and Registration was surprised. “There are 462, 875 active personalized plates in Florida, “ state, “ he explained.   [I have one myself, BRIT-1, issued in 1989.  True.  Because TWAT-1 was taken. Not true.---PK].   Brand said he would not have let this auto-tag through. “I know pretty much every dirty word around—in several languages.”  [A job requirement to work in that department?]  But Department spokeswoman Ann Nucatola, who serves on the licence plate review board, said she didn’t know its derogatory meaning. “I had to call my husband, “ she said. 
            The outcome?  Brand will ask the board to review the tag and a two-person review board authority will decide whether to recall it and thereby prevent more Marines from buying it. Our taxpayer dollars at waste.  Now THAT is Twattish behaviour.                   Okay, chuckles over.  Now to some gravitas:    STATISTICS—How many resident Britons in Florida? This is question I am asked hundreds of times a year.  The number changes daily, and cannot be answered because Brits in Florida are not required to register their presence.  But with the 2008 Hurricane season starting, the Miami British Consulate-General* and the Orlando Consulate encourages all British nationals living and travelling in the USA  to register with the Foreign Office's new on-line registration system called Locate.  The statement they issued me says:  “ What are the benefits of registering?  If a catastrophe occurs, such as a major hurricane, tsunami, or terrorist attack, the Consulate will have an instant record of your details so that they can contact you to make sure you’re OK and provide advice and assistance.  Or if family and friends need to get in touch with you urgently, for example or if a family member dies when you are away, the Consulate can help them to find you.  INFO:  www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/locate   To register: www.locate.fco.gov.uk/locateportal/   [NOTE:  Find complete details of the services of Florida’s two Consular offices plus contact info on their 2 pages on www.britishflorida.com  ]                 FT.LAUDERDALE--NEW BRITISH BUSINESS.   Keith St. Clair, former British founder and chairman of Traveleaders in Miami, has launched StrategicAir,  This  aviation services company with 12 aircraft,  provides charter and maintenance services out of Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport.  “We offer an alternative to commercial airline travel,” says Keith. “This is a recession-proof corner of the market. Even in tough times, corporate people need to get quickly from A to B.”  I wish this new British business much wind beneath its wings.  INFO: www.strategicair.com [954] 359-7787.               BRITISH CULTURAL ICON BOY GEORGE makes a rare performance on July 25, 2008.  He will perform his Culture Club Hits from the 80's and beyond. LOCATION: Club Cinema in Pompano Beach. [954] 785-5224. INFO/Tickets: www.clubcinemaflorida.com  His official website:  www.IamBoyGeorge.com            BRADENTON west Florida.  This Londoner is thrilled to announce a new English Bed and Breakast/Tearoom called….The Londoner Inn [941] 748-5658.  English owner Jennifer Taylor told me: " As well as being a Bed and Breakfast place, we also serve English Afternoon Tea, with homemade scones (made with Homepride flour!) and Devonshire clotted cream". Sounds utterly yummy.                  TECH TIP FOR EXPATS:  When you emigrate to the USA, change your UK internet server to a USA one. The reason: My office deals with every server but we only experience sending problems [bounce-backs/non-receipt etc] when sending to Yahoo.co.uk and Hotmail.co.uk. Brits using those two UK-based servers don’t always receive our email from Florida. [Regular single business emails, not spam].  Last year, Yahoo.co.uk even inexplicably blocked my email address for a while, due to its unsophisticated spam settings, so some UK clients were left wondering why they weren’t hearing from me. The alarming thing is having no way of knowing something hadn’t gone through---bad for business.  My IT advisor said the likely reason is the email is being diverted from a US server to a UK one, getting lost in the process. So for USA to UK emails, I strongly suggest you use a .com server.             NEWS OF THE BOOZE:  The Pub at Pembroke [954] 430-4230 opened  May 1 in Pembroke Pines.  It’s part of a British theme chain run by American Tavern Restaurant Group in Ohio. How authentically British it is I have no idea, but their ad in the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel twice used the hackneyed slogan only Americans use ” THE BRITISH ARE COMING!  Three hundred years after the War can’t they create something original?. Anyway, I suggest you pop in and scope it out.                  BRITISH-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:   1] FT. LAUDERDALE  The Broward Chapter are having a Queen’s Birthday Celebration on June 21 at a private residence. For details call BACC President Roy Yates [954] 942-7330   2] MIAMI BACC is holding their Queen’s Birthday celebration on June 7. [786] 228-8676  Ask for Myrtle.            GLAD TO BE IN FLORIDA CORNER:   FACT 1:   The population of England will increase by one third in the next 50 years, making it the most crowded nation in Europe.  FACT 2:  More people have bailed out of the UK in the last 10 years than at any time in our history-----Source: the UK Office for National Statistics.   Also, in a survey by NatWest bank, 9 out of 10 expats said they enjoyed a much better life abroad and six out of 10 intended never to return to the UK.  But 7 out of 10 said they often felt homesick, missing the British sense of humour and culture. Readers, file me in the latter. In exciting Miami, I lead the ocean-view life I’ve always dreamed of, yet ache daily and deeply to be with my own kind. But won’t be moving back.             BRITISH COMEDIAN EDDIE IZZARD, an acquired taste, has a colossal following. He makes a rare appearance at 2 shows in Florida:  Miami Beach at the Fillmore Theatre on June 13/14, 2008. At the Tampa Theatre on June 17, 2008. INFO/TICKETS: On promoter’s website www.livenation.com             THE BRITISH NETWORK-MIAMI, for anybody who wants to make British contacts, business and social.  Join local British professionals for a useful and enjoyable evening----a roomful of Brits is never dull!   Hosted by Florida Association of British Business [FABB] DATES: Tuesdays June 17 and July 29, 2008 from 6.30 to 10p.m.  ENTRY COST: Free.  LOCATION: Doubletree Grand Hotel in their Bleu Moon Resto-Bar, downtown Miami. For invitation send email to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it            BOCA RATON POLO—the sport of Kings..and English princes.  Royal Palm Polo Club has unexpectedly shut down after decades. Popular with South Florida Brits and where I organized several events for the British community, the club was built in 1977.             RINGO STARR and HIS ALL_STARR BAND return to Florida. DATE: Thursday July 3, 2008 [my birthday as it happens, but not expecting a cake from Ringo]. LOCATION:  Hard Rock in Hollywood. INFO/TICKETS www.hardrocklivehollywoodfl.com   [954] 327-7625       SUBMIT NEWS ITEMS FOR THIS COLUMN for publication. Must be about NEW British businesses, British events, British Clubs etc.  Submission does not guarantee publication.   Submit by email only to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Must sign with name/city/phone

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FLORIDA COLUMN by Patricia Kawaja MAY 2008 ISSUE   

MIAMI HEAT TO PLAY IN LONDON.   Many Florida Brits love American basketball and some remember the popular exhibition matches the Harlem Globetrotters used to play in England.  The Miami won the 2006 NBA championships and I can walk to their home in the American Airlines Arena.  I joined the cheering crowds when the championship team with Shaquille O'Neal paraded the cup through the streets of Miami afterwards.  So it's satisfying that they have announced two 2008 pre-season exhibition games in Paris [October 9] and London [October 12] at the stunning 02 Basketball Arena.  In London they will also do community events and charity appearances around the Capital, to interact with British fans. So alert your London relatives, if they are basketball fans. Since 2000, the NBA family has helped establish more than 400 places where children  and families can live, learn or play around the world, including 11 in Europe.   “We believe that the NBA is not just an American sport anymore,” Miami HEAT President and Head Coach Pat Riley said. “It’s a global sport and we are proud and privileged to be a part of the NBA Europe Live. We will take our players and our philosophy to Europe and show that part of the world what we are all about.”  INFO on www.heat.com    AMERICANS ARE BESOTTED WITH EVERYTHING BRITISH DEPARTMENT.  Email  my office received from an American in Orlando:     HIM:  My mother and Queen Elizabeth II share the same birthday (year and day) and are the same age.   Would it be possible to have them exchange Birthday Cards?   ME:   Dear Joel, this is a joke--right?  Her Majesty shares her birthday with a zillion people. In fact so many British subjects alone,  that on her 80th birthday she had 500 of them to tea with her.  Your mother is not even British!  But if you're serious, mail your request to the Queen at Buckingham Palace, Pall Mall, London SWI, England. The Queen's official website is  www.royal.gov.uk if you wish to email her too. Her staff dioes read all emails.  By the way, we British don't call her Queen Elizabth II, just the Queen. Since the first Queen Elizabeth died centuries ago, there's hardly need for clarification!    UPDATE FOR FLORIDA BRITS APPLYING FOR CITIZENSHIP You know firsthand about the massive delays and backlog for pending applications. Some applicants are so outraged that they might not be sworn in time to vote in the November 2008 election, that  have filed lawsuits against the US Government. [Not wise when it’s that same government can deny you citizenship, methinks. Keep under the radar till you have that citizenship certificate clutched in your Brit mitts].  On April 24, 2008  USCIS boss Emilio Gonzalez told the Miami Herald: “ We will be caught up within 14 months. Miami petitions filed by June 2007 should be completed by September 2008”. Gonzalez said the  unprecedented backlog was caused by filing fees increase.  “That always generates a 10-15% surge in citizenship applications, which we can handle, “ he explained.  “But this time there was a 350%.increase—an avalanche we could not anticipate.”  Florida voters have to register to vote by October 6 to vote for Hillary, Barack or John in the finals of Political Idol.        AT LEAST 1300 Brits were arrested in America last year, according to the UK Government’s Foreign Office study called “British Behaviour Abroad.”  So you can bet many of those were in Florida, since it’s the leading state for British tourists.  [I wonder what other horrors about us are revealed in that study??]….BRITISH BEHAVOUR, THE DEFINITION:  Being British is about driving a German car to an Irish pub to imbibe Belgian beer, then on the way home picking up an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab to eat on Swedish furniture while watching American shows on a Japanese TV. But above all, being British is being suspicious of anything foreign. --- Letter to The Telegraph [London] April 2008       E2 VISA REFORM affecting British emigrants who buy businesses here. Florida British businessowners  Zoe and Steve Adams wish all UJ readers to get involved and sign their petition:  The website www.e2Reform.org has been set up by them and other interested parties “to draw attention to Reform for Legal Immigrants who have come here and invested in this country, employ US citizens, and pay taxes.”  These Brits would like to be included, along with the Illegal Immigrants, when Immigration Reform comes along with the new Government.  They wish you to sign their online petition, E2 Visa Holder or not, to draw attention to the matter.  Further details from Zoe/Steve on [863] 709-9555 or email   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   www.e2reform.org              EVERGREEN BRITBAND DURAN DURAN appear May 19 at Boca Raton’s Mizner Park Amphitheatre.  INFO on promoter’s website www.fantasma.com                 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ST GEORGE in Ft. Lauderdale has various events for British people in Broward County.  For info send email to Mel Cohen This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   On subject line put Royal Society of St. George.      BRITISH COMEDIAN EDDIE IZZARD, an acquired taste, has a colossal following. He makes a rare appearance at 2 shows in Florida:  Miami Beach at the Fillmore  Theatre on June 13/14, 2008. Tampa at the Tampa Theatre on June 17, 2008. Tickets/info on promoter’s website www.livenation.com     THE BRITISH NETWORK-MIAMI, for anybody who wants to make British contacts, business and social.  Join local British professionals for a useful and enjoyable evening----a roomful of Brits is never dull!   Hosted by Florida Association of British Business [FABB] DATES: Tuesdays May 20,  June 17 and July 29, 2008 from 6.30 to 10p.m.  ENTRY COST: Free.  LOCATION: The Doubletree Grand Hotel in their Bleu Moon Resto-Bar, downtown Miami. For invitation send email to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it       WEST PALM BEACH  The Police [Sting, Andy summers and Stewart Copeland] return May 17 with another brilliant British band Elvis Costello and the Imposters opening. Info: www.thepolice.com VENUE: Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach. TICKETS: www.ticketmaster.com or www.livenation.com    CRICKET FANS in South Florida.  The MAQ T20 International Cricket Tournament, featuring teams from India, Pakistan, West Indies and World X1 takes place in Central Broward on May 23/24/25, 2008. Tickets/Info: www.cricketcouncilusa.com  [954] 977-9728      UK-USA CULTURE CORNER----If I hear one more American broadcaster pronounce Glasgow as Glas-cow instead of Glas-go, I’ll hurl a brick. The city has been around for hundreds of years so how can even Americans be unaware of the correct pronunciation?.  I even saw a Golf Channel programme broadcast from Glasgow, where everybody interviewed correctly pronounced it Glas-go.  Having just heard all that, back in the studio the American host still wrapped up with “That’s it from Glas-cow.”  As if he hadn’t heard a word of his own segment from that city.   While on the subject of We’re-Going-To-Deviate-From-Universally-Accepted-Pronunciation-Of-Place-Names-Just-Because-We’re-Americans, here’s my pet peeve:  Iraq is pronounced Irr-ack, by the Iraqis themselves and every other nation that refers to them. So why do American military actually serving in Iraq say EYE-RAK?  They also talk frequently to the British troops over there further reinforcing the correct pronunciation. So how can even Americans  mis-pronounce a country’s name when they are standing in it?       PUBLIC SERVICE CORNER. HELP THE URGENT CRISIS OF DISAPPEARING BEES.  The survival of bees across the USA, our adopted country, affects all the crops we eat. At least 25% of America’s honey bees have died in what biologists call Colony Collapse Disorder. American bees are just as lovely and desirable as British bees, of course. The believed culprit is a new widely-used pesticide which disorientate bees, preventing them from finding their way back to their hive, but other theories abound. Scientists at San Francisco State University are spearheading a solution and seeks everybody’s help to track where healthy bee populations still exist.  It’s easy! Just plant sunflower seeds and report if any bees arrive. If you agree to do this, the university sends you a free sunflower seeds. Go to www.greatsunflower.org to sign up. Haagen-Dazs ice-cream has also launched a website www.helpthehoneybees.com to  assist. Please ask your friends in all parts of the USA with gardens to participate with the sunflower project. Humans cannot exist without the help of bees so now it’s our turn to return the favour.     RINGO STARR and HIS ALL_STARR BAND return to Florida. I saw the Yellow Submarine composer’s show a few years ago in Ft. Lauderdale. Being an ex-Beatle gets you the clout to persuade talented musicians and singers to join you on stage. They take Ringo’s calls. DATE: Thursday July 3, 2008 [my birthday as it happens, but not expecting a cake from Ringo]. LOCATION:  Hard Rock in Hollywood. INFO/TICKETS www.hardrocklivehollywoodfl.com   [954] 327-7625    

 
FLORIDA COLUMN by Patricia Kawaja APRIL 2008 ISSUE   

  “LOST” BEATLES RECORDINGS FOUND IN MIAMI.  Huge news, as you imagine. And to nobody’s surprise, due to the import of such treasure, lawsuits and disputes have started. The Miami Herald, on its front page of March 22, 2008 carried this story, which I have précised: : “ BEATLES and MIAMI FIRM FAIL TO COME TOGETHER….BEATLES CONTINUE TO PURSUE LONG AND WINDING ROAD  Eight never-released Beatles recordings are at the heat of a $15 million dollar dispute between the greatest band of all time and a Miami entertainment company. In 1962, in spite of their newfound fame, the Beatles agreed to return to Germany for a few final gigs. Those dates at Hamburg’s Star-Club are, in a word, historic, because Ringo Starr had just replaced drummer Pete Best. So they are the first set of live performances ever of The Fab Four.  Now a Miami company, Fuego Entertainment,  partnered with British promoter Jeffrey Collins who now lives in Coral Springs, Florida plans to market those recordings. But the Beatles company, Apple Corps Ltd. In London, is trying to stop them in Miami federal court, seeking $15 million in damages. Fuego’s American president Hugo Cancio contends Fuego and Collins have the legal rights to the Star-Club music.  Beatles attorneys at Apple say they are bootleg recordings and Fuego has no rights to them. Cancio expressed surprise at the lawsuit, because he and Apple had been negotiating in good faith up until then, he told the Miami Herald.  We legally obtained these Hamburg recordings from Jeffrey Collins he maintains. Fuego released details of its joint venture with Collins on its website [www.fuegoenterainment.net] on January 10, 2008.  Fuego says those Beatles live performances were hand-delivered to promoter Collins by the DJ he had booked to work that same night at the Star-Club, on the very night they were made.  The Star-Club recorded all artists appearing there in the 60’s under performance contracts. Collins bought the rights in 1994, Cancio explains, anticipating the eventual interest in those early Fab Four recordings.  When Fuego announced the joint venture with Collins and release of these recordings in January, Apple issued a cease and desist letter a week later.
             If neither side will  Let it Be, the outcome looks headed for high-profile conclusion in a Miami courtroom soon.    [Read complete story and updates on www.miamiherald.com].    FLORIDA always has a few wayward Brits behind bars. But now we can boast a distinguished British jailbird. Lord Black of Crossharbour, better known as Conrad Black the fallen UK press baron, swapped the life of a multi-millionaire for that of a federal felon and started a 6 year and half year sentence in the Sunshine State last month.  The 64 year old former chairman of Hollinger, owners of The Daily Telegraph and other UK media, was convicted for his part in a 3 million pound fraud and obstruction of justice case in a famous High Court trial in 2007.  His Lordship requested to serve his time at Florida’s FCI Coleman Low Prison to be near his wife in their Palm Beach mansion.   But he’ll be in a different Big House.    AND TALKING OF DISTINGUISHED BRITS….Last issue I congratulated Stuart Dodd in Lauderhill on being Florida’s first British-born elected politician. Except that he wasn’t. I heard from several Brits in Coral Springs, proud that they helped elect a British Mayor.  Yes readers,  Welshman Rhon Ernest-Jones, who runs an engineering company in that city, was elected Mayor of Coral Springs  from 2004-2006.  Bravo Rhon –a real Welsh Wonder.     OCALA BRITISH CAR FANS! MG CLUB's 42nd annual GATHERING OF THE FAITHFUL cala, April 11-13, 2008 in Silver Springs. Event is open to MG owners or enthusiasts.  INFO: www.britishcarclub.net     SARASOTA BRITISH CLUB celebrate St. George's Day and the Queen's birthday with a dinner at the Coach and Horses Pub. Saturday April 19 from 6-10p.m. To book call Nairn Gillet [941] 321-9631  HOLLYWOOD at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.  BRITISH STARS APPEARING: Eric Clapton on Monday May 5, 2008.  INFO/Tickets  www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com    PALM BEACH NEW BRITISH GROUP.  Sharon Mullings has formed a new British social group. Contact her on [561] 346-7134 to get involved.  EVERGREEN BRITBAND DURAN DURAN appear May 19 at Boca Raton’s Mizner Park Amphitheatre.  INFO on promoter’s website www.fantasma.com    MELBOURNE:  LEGENDARY BRITISH BAND QUEEN paid tribute to in ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN, performed by Gary Mullen and The Works.  The band recreates Queen and has performed to sellout audiences all over the world. They deliver the look, the sound, the showmanship---Gary Mullen IS Freddie Mercury! DATE:  Saturday, April 19, 2008. VENUE:  Melbourne at the King Center. INFO/TICKETS: www.kingcenter.com  [321] 242-2219  Band info: www.onenightofqueen.com      WEST FLORIDA NEW BRITISH CLUB.  The British Connection Club in Sun City Center [south of Tampa] has about 100 British members. Call [813] 634-4218 Pamela or Tony for details.    MIAMI reported a record 5% gain in European tourists in 2007, with many of them being British, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau just announced.  But the CVB director also said that figure should be more like 15%, due to the weak dollar, again citing “visa hassles “ as the deterrent. Europeans should be “coming here in droves” he said, “but our visa measures are hurting the international travel industry across the USA.”  Good---if more American tourism officials complain publicly that helps us.   WEST PALM BEACH  1] British band Radio head appears May 5, 2008. Info www.waste.uk.com [the band’s website ]  2] The Police [Sting, Andy summers and Stewart Copeland] return May 17 with another brilliant British band Elvis Costello and the Imposters opening for them. Info: www.thepolice.com VENUE for both shows : Cruzan Amphitheatre [formerly Sound Advice] in West Palm Beach. TICKETS: www.ticketmaster.com or www.livenation.com     PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS to financially-challenged Brits in Florida:  1]  To find the cheapest gas [petrol] go to www.gasbuddy.com Click on Florida and enter your zipcode. You’ll see a list of prices and gas stations in YOUR neighborhood. 2] For the second consecutive year, the Miami Herald reported a few weeks ago, Florida ranked Number One in the USA. For Mortgage fraud, alas. Lenders reported more than twice the number of suspected fraud cases in Florida than the national average. So tread carefully and get a mortgage or refinance only from an accredited mortgage broker, warn I.  If you don’t know any, I do—several. Email me.  And it goes without saying, except that I will to cover myself, I don’t get  a commission from them!   MIAMI--THE ENGLISH GAME OF CROQUET is the highlight of Miami’s Historical Museum 8th Annual Croquet et Croquetas event. It takes place at the stunning beautyspot Deering Estate on Biscayne Bay on Sunday April 13. It’s an elegant affair with with hats for ladies and jackets for men requested. Croquet matches and competition, live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and live auction. I went with several British friends last year and it was superb.  For tickets call [305] 375-2624. Full details on website www.hmsf.org Advance booking required.   CRICKET FANS in South Florida.  The recently formed Cricket Council USA, with offices in Lauderhill and Boca Raton is holding a major cricket tournament and encourages all cricket fans to attend.  The MAQ T20 International Cricket Tournament, featuring teams from India, Pakistan, West Indies and World X1 takes place in Central Broward over Memorial Day Weekend May 23/24/25, 2008. Tickets/Info: www.cricketcouncilusa.com  [954] 977-9728    UK-USA CULTURE CORNER   We have numerous American actors adopting British accents for their TV or film part and ice versa , of course. Some are excellent—some are dire.  When I first heard Gwynneth Paltrow years ago in the film SLIDING DOORS, I had never heard of her so assumed she was a new English actress. She has the British accent down pat, as did Renee Zellweger in BRIDGET JONES.  Dire was Dick Van Dyke’s uber-chirpy Cockney in MARY POPPINS.  Worst is Michael Caine who still deludes himself that he has eradicated his strong accent every time he plays an American.  He might fool Americans and himself but every Brit I know can still discern his Cockney tones breaking through.  But even British [and Aussie] actors who get it right, admit hating having to fake an accent on camera. English actor Hugh Laurie, excellent as the American doctor in HOUSE, told the BBC’s Radio Times” I loathe hearing my American accent.. It’s a dull monotone, full of clunking mistakes.”  You’re way too modest Hugh; I had no idea you were a Brit until I read it.    

 
FLORIDA COLUMN March 2008 issue by Patricia Kawaja     

COLOSSAL CONGRATULATIONS TO STUARD DODD, FLORIDA'S FIRST BRITISH elected politician. Lauderdale by the Sea elected a new city commissioner last month, British-American businessman Stuart Dodd, age 60, with a majority of 370 votes.  I have known Stuart for 13 years. He runs Global Marine, a small yacht/marine consultancy, is a charter member of the Florida Association of British Business and a solid bloke.  No other Brit has ever run for, let alone get elected to political office in Florida.  Bravo, Stewie Baby!   Congratulate our fellow Brit on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it      ALL BRITS [and other foreigners] FLYING INTO MIAMI AIRPORT should now be prepared to have all ten fingerprints scanned.  Last month, MIA installed electronic scanners to fingerprint all foreign arrivals, as part of a new Homeland Security initiative. Miami is the only airport in Florida [so far!] to have this scanner, which compares your fingerprints with the database of those who have violated USA immigration, criminal or terrorism  laws.   WHEN ST. PATRICK’S DAY rolls around again, I do head out to the colossal block party at John Martin’s Irish Pub in Miami to celebrate with genuine Irishmen, as opposed to Americans pretending to be. I always mischievously remind them that St. Patrick was actually not Irish at all, he being an ENGLISH priest who sailed over to the Emerald Isle to convert Irish non-believers.  Of course, these days the English are far more heathen than the Irish.  Anyway, here’s a joke you might want to tell on March 17:  Two tipsy Englishmen decided to rile their Irish barman. “Hey Eamonn, I think St. Patrick was a cretin, “said the first one. The barman ignored him, and carried on cleaning beerglasses.  So the second Englishman piped up.” Hey Eamonn, St. Patrick was actually English.”   “Oi know—yer mate just told me,” came the barman’s swift reply.                FLYING INTO HEATHROW is something Florida Brits have to endure. So you’ll be thrilled that the long-awaited Terminal 5 opens March 27, complete with a gourmet restaurant called Plane Food by acclaimed Scottish chef Gordon Ramsay.  Designed by fabled British architect Richard Rogers [known for the Paris Pompidou Centre], London’s new terminal serves mainly British Airways and boasts the capacity to serve 30 million passengers annually.  Thus more bags for butterfingers BA, the world’s worst luggage-loser.    THE BRITISH-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BROWARD was re-launched on February 15.  I was one of the guests at the launch luncheon onboard a Ft. Lauderdale cruiseship.  As I know from many years of business dealings in Broward there is huge British business community in Broward County, and there used to be a flourishing BACC there—I was a board member from 1993-96.  The exceedingly capable new president is Roy Yates, a Scouser, who has the skills and commitment to make it succeed.  For membership info and BACC Broward calendar contact Roy [954] 942-7330.  Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it        SARASOTA SCOTTISH GAMES on March 29, 2008  Info/tickets [904] 725-5722 www.neflgames.com      DUNEDIN SCOTTISH FESTIVAL  Always an immensely enjoyable day out. Tartan everywhere, irresistible Scotsmen---a rare but delightful species----merry on McEwans,  and American wannabe Scots,  bagpipers, clans, highland dancing and singing, crafts, sheepdog demonstrations, Scottish/Irish/English gifts and novelties, British foods and beers and running into many of your Britpals.  DATE: Saturday April 12, 2008. INFO/TICKETS: www.dunedinhighlandgames.com  Call (727) 733-3197   NEW BRITISH BUSINESS-MIAMI BEACH.  Accomplished English hairstylist Riley McLachlan,  former manager of Vidal Sassoon’s on South Beach has opened a new salon called SNIP. His best friend Robin Hill is a top British photographer in Miami, so they call themselves Snip and Snap, tee hee.  Anyway Robin photographed the February 2008 Grand Opening, which I attended and Snip Salon [305] 532-7333 is stunning. Already enjoying a loyal British clientele, Riley is longing to snip his scissors across your London or Liverpool or Lancashire locks.   STUART FLORIDA News of the Brews. The east coast's former British grocery Store has changed names, owners and expanded to include a tearoom. King Charles Tea Shop and Bakery [772] 287-7798, run by Cambridgeshire couple Graham and Sherrie Taylor-Jones, still carries tempting home-baked bakery products, but has expanded into an English tearoom. So you can indulge in home-made scones with a pot of tea, then take some home. Yum, yum.  ST. PETERSBURG A new Royal Family exhibition called "Royalty…Triumphs and Tragedies “  is on now till September 2008 at the St. Petersburg Museum [www.spmoh.org  [727] 894-1052]  This spectacular event hosts artifacts from The Queen, Queen Mother, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Prince Charles, The Princess Royal and other assorted royals. Princess Diana fans can ogle many of her famous gowns plus some never before seen. [The one she did the washing up in?--PK].  Anyway the press release was screeds long, so consult the museum's website for complete info.   

MIAMI----BRITISH PIANISTS AND COMPOSERS feature prominently in the Dranoff International Two Piano Competition. The foundation has been part of the Miami and international music scene for over 20 years.  The Dranoff is recognized globally for its important position in discovering and helping to nurture new musical talent.  The contestants are young, brilliant and good-looking--nothing stuffy about this event, the sexy face of classical music 2008.  I've been and it's wonderful.  This year, the competition will host 10 brilliant two-piano teams, aged 21 ro 32, from Germany, Spain, Japan, Serbia, Russia, UK, USA, Israel, China and South Africa. The competition also includes the world premiere of a work by prominent British composer and three-time Academy Award nominee Sir Richard Rodney Bennett. He composed the score for Four Weddings and A Funeral, and other famous movies. British pianist James Longford of London's Royal Academy of music is one of the finalists in the Dranoff, which runs March 9-16th in Miami. Info/tickets: www.dranoff2piano.org or call [305] 775-2747 Gabriele.   MICHAEL CAINE, who often winters in Miami, where he has a condo, is refreshingly unpretentious for a major movie star. No entourage for him. Spotted shopping in Bloomingdale’s last month, totally alone, a fan asked for an autograph. “No Mate, I’m on holiday,” he said. You tell ‘em, Alfie.   HOLLYWOOD at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.  INFO/Tickets

www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com    

1] Moody Blues, one of the greatest British groups ever, on March 25, 2008.

2] Veteran British band Def Leppard on March 29, 2008.

UK-USA CULTURAL CORNER.  Always bemused by the vestiges of puritanicalism that remains here,  hundreds of years after the original Puritans left England. For example: Actress Lindsay Lohan did a photospread in Marilyn Monroe poses in last month’s New Yorker magazine. For you non-media types, the New Yorker is a highbrow, literary magazine on alvele with Britain’s Specatator.  Lohan’s photos were clothed and totally tasteful. These were not Hustler’s pubic close-ups, people.  Instead of pride that his daughter merited the cover of a prestigious publication, Lohan’s father stated: “I’m not going to look at the photos—that’s my daughter!”

…….We may not be puritanical but our country has other cringe-worthy behaviour. Blue-collar Brits abroad are truly an embarrassment to us more civilised expats, who hope Americans can differentiate.  Herewith an excerpt from London Telegraph sportswriter Kevin Garside’s article  about the recent UK-USA Hatton-Mayweather boxing match:  “ LAS VEGAS WON’T MISS BOOZY BRITISH BOORS….the scene shifted to the weigh-in, 6000 boozed-up Brits queued from 8a.m. for an event scheduled to start at 2p.m. Hatton’s army did what they do best: abused everyone with their boorish, humourless fare. A group of young schoolchildren were shouted down by drunken dullards screaming “Who are yer?”. Pitiful. The President of MGM Grand was heckled into oblivion [by these drunken Brits] and finally gave up trying to speak. The MGM Grand Casino, for the first time in its history was forced to close, fearing the British mob within. . Summed up Garside.“When a casino turns off the money supply, you know things are desperate.”   Thank God, many Americans view Hugh Grant/Helen Mirren/Tony Blair/Daniel Day-Lewis as more typically British!    THE BRITISH NETWORK-MIAMI, for anybody who wants to make British contacts, business and social.  Join local British professionals for a useful and enjoyable evening----a roomful of Brits is never dull!   Hosted by Florida Association of British Business [FABB] DATES: Tuesdays March 25, April 29 and May 20 from 6.30 to 10p.m.  ENTRY COST: Free.  LOCATION: The Doubletree Grand Hotel in their Blu Moon Resto-Bar, downtown Miami. For invitation send email to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Submit column items about any new British businesses/British Clubs/British Shops/Pubs to me by email only. Sign your email with name/city/phone number.           

  FLORIDA COLUMN February 2008 isue by Patricia Kawaja    

BRITISH WOMAN WINS CONTEST TO COMPOSE FLORIDA ‘S OFFICIAL STATE SONG.  Another Brilliant Brit shines in Florida!  Let’s all be really proud of Jan Hinton.  The State of Florida decided that the current song Swannee River was too racist for these politically correct times,  so Senator Tony Hill decided to replace it with a more modern anthem.   British school teacher, Jan Hinton, a Brummie transplant and Florida resident for 12 years entered her song, “Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)” in the JUST SING FLORIDA Competition last year. A panel of six professional musicians judged the 243 entries and came up with 3 finalists. On January 11th 2008, at the FMEA convention in Tampa, Senator Hill announced Hinton’s song the winner. A bill now before the Florida Legislature will try to make the song officially the state song.  Jan teaches music at Ft. Lauderdale’s prestigeous Pinecrest School and is music director at Lauderdale’s by the Sea’s Community Church .  She said, “I am so thrilled and honored to be in this position. I’d like to thank those who supported me and especially those who voted for my song”.  The Miami-Ft. Lauderdale TV stations, who wanted “their “ local girl to win, kept playing Jan’s entry and interviewed here, which is when I heard her accent and contacted here for this this column. British partisanship aside, Jan’s song was so catchy with a great hook that many I found myself warbling along with the telly every time they aired it. I KNEW she would win.  Contact her on www.janhintonmusic.com          MONTHY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT at Miami’s Performing Arts Centre. This was formerly the Carnival Centre, but last month benefactress Adrienne Arsht plonked down a $30 million donation, so it’s hereafter called the Arsht Center. [ I’d love to be wealthy just to give money away—being a philanthropist much be an unequalled thrill. Really, but not to the over-pampered Arts. I’d give poor kids scholarships to university, really turn lives around]. Anyway---excuse my mega digression!  Spamalot runs March 5-9, 2008. Tickets [305] 949-6722. www.arshtcenter.org     NEWS OF THE BOOZE.  The Irish come out of the womb knowing how to build a great pub, I once wrote.  It's' still true. So it's good that two of the best in Florida are spreading their wings. The Playwright Pub [305] 534-0667is an authentic slice of Ireland in the heart of Miami's tourist mecca,  Washington Avenue on South Beach, and has been a colossal success since its 2000 opening. The pub is spacious, with a homey yet elegant ambiance, unequalled Irish stew and always replete with British, Irish and assorted international accents watching UK football and rugby. I recently enjoyed the best full English breakfast outside London, when stopping in to look at their expansion.  I love Playwrights, have hosted British functions there and the addition of a beautifully-built extra bar and dining area can’t hurt.  The K bus stops right outside the front door, Miami Brits—that’s how I get there---so you can even leave your car at home. INFO: www.playwrightirishpub.com      I’m also a fan of Waxy' O'Connor's Ft. Lauderdale, a longtime favourite with Broward Brits, who gather to watch English football and rugby internationals. I also hosted FABB events there. So happy to report that Waxy's has opened a second location in Miami Beach.  But their new location is literally across the street from Playwright's, so it's a surfeit of Irish riches. You'll have to take your pick, people. Figure out how to be in two places at once!  The new Waxy's team boasts Irish owners Mark Rohleder and Richard Carmichael from Waxy's Ft. Lauderdale and Gordon Hyde, the original Playwright owner from Cork.  Waxy’s South Beach [305] 534-7824 will have the same genuine Irish-imported décor and ambiance, international sports and yummy dishes plus live music. It wasn’t finished at time of writing late January, so I haven’t visited, but it’s open now.  INFO: www.waxy's .com.      KISSIMMEE Fawlty Towers English Pub [407] 397-7778 opened recently. Pop in for a pint to see if you like it.      PALM BEACH “A VALENTINE TO SIR NOEL COWARD" ---Afternoon Tea for area Brits on Tuesday February 14. Join English authors Elizabeth Sharland and Robert Spencer, cousin to  Princess Diana, reading from Elizabeth’s new theatre novel Blue Harbour Revisited.  The event includes a video of  Noel  Coward and friends at his Jamaica home.  LOCATION: This event will be held at a private venue in Palm Beach area, disclosed when you get your tickets.  $35 per person.  To book call  Elizabeth [561 ] 659-2045      HOLLYWOOD BRITISH ACTS AT HARD ROCK HOTEL:  1]  PAUL POTTS, British opera singer who won the UK POP IDOL and made Simon Cowell's jaw drop. The clip of his winning performance became one of the top 5 YouTube videos of all time. Saturday March 1. 2] DEF LEPPARD veteran British band on March 29   Tickets/Info www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com                   MELBOURNE- THE ROYAL SCOTS DRAGON GUARDS and the Band of the Cooldstream Guards. I saw the performance and interviewed these hunky, dazzling specimens of British military manhood in Ft. Lauderdale in 1991 years ago. On my office wall is a stunning photo of little me standing between two statuesque 6ft. 4 handsome guards, one in full bearskin and the other in dress kilt. It’s truly one of my favourite photos ever. The two British soldiers were cracking jokes and squeezing me the whole time, as I was trying to get a formal shot for the newspaper. Now I admit bias. My father was in the Black Watch regiment and we lived in Edinburgh army quarters when I was a wee girl. But you should make every effort to see this stirring show. It will make your British heart swell with pride and nostalgia for the country we love, which alas has deteriorated too much. The two regiments perform in Florida every year. Their press release says ” Out of the moors and mists of Scotland come the sounds of regimental drummers, precision marching, haunting sounds of bagpipes and the swirl of kilts. Direct from their headquarters in Edinburgh Castle, with an unbroken history dating back to the 1600’s, two of the oldest regiments in the world will transport you magically back in time to the heather-filled fields of Scotland.”  Yes that too, but ladies you’ll enjoy the swoon factor. DATE: Thursday March 13, 2008 at 8.m. VENUE: King Centre in Melbourne. INFO/TICKETS: [321] 242-2219 www.Kingcenter.com                              BRITISH SHOPS UPDATE:    ORLANDO---NEW!  The British Shoppe [407] 898-1634 opened last month.  British owner John Jago-Ford just moved down to Florida from Connecticut, so pop in and have a butcher’s.  John I wish you much wind beneath your wings, welcome to Florida  and toast your success. Does anybody know if Suzy's Pantry in Winter Garden, Central Florida has closed or moved? I've emailed the British owner numerous times [no reply] .  Phone disconnected and Google no help.FORT WALTON BEACH The British Pedlar shop [850] 863-3969.  This has closed/moved over the years. But Brits in Northwest Florida will be pleased to know it is open with a new British owner Heather Pohlmann.  KNOW ANY BRITISH PUBS OR SHOPS WHICH HAVE OPENED OR CLOSED?  Please email me updates. Sign email with your name/city/phone.               NEW AIRLINE ROUTE FT. LAUDERDALE-LONDON is starting in May 2008, by Zoom airlines.  I worked closely with Sir Freddie Laker promoting these same routes to South Florida Brits in 1997, so am thrilled that Canada-based Zoom has resurrected this much-needed transatlantic service.  INFO: www. Flyzoom.com      JACKSONVILLE the NORTHEAST FLORIDA SCOTTISH GAMES on Saturday February 23, 2008. See display ad in this issue. Tel. [904] 725-5722 www.neflgames.com              THE BRITISH NETWORK-MIAMI, for anybody who wants to make British contacts, business and social.  Join local British professionals for a useful networking evening----a roomful of Brits is never dull!   Hosted by Florida Association of British Business [FABB] DATES: Tuesdays   February 26, March 25 and April 29 from 6.30 to 10p.m.  ENTRY COST: Free.  LOCATION: The Doubletree Grand Hotel in their Blu Moon Resto-Bar, downtown Miami. For invitation send email to: