Fort Lauderdale's Latest Community News

With consistently great winds, Hobie Beach -- aka “Windsurfer Beach” -- on Key Biscayne is an ideal place to learn the ropes of windsurfing or to practice your skills. New to the sport? Top notch instructors at Sailboards Miami guarantee to get you up and riding within a two-hour lesson.

The sport of windsurfing combines elements of both surfing and sailing. The rider stands atop a board about 6 to 12 feet long. The board is connected to the sail and boom via a rotating rig. By holding on to the boom and moving the sail, the rider is able to catch wind, propelling the board through the water.

Given the right conditions, avid windsurfers can reach speeds of 25+ knots along Hobie Beach. Naturalists love the feeling of harnessing power from the wind and adrenaline seekers go crazy for the thrill of speed.

Sailboard Miami equipment rentals are done by the hour, day or week. Local or plan to go often? Ask about the Sailboard Miami club card. Price

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Come get a birds-eye view of the “magic city” aboard a Cessna 172 Seahawk seaplane. Miami Seaplane Tours offers breathtaking journeys above South Florida’s dramatic and ever-changing coastal skyline.

With no “minimum passenger” rules, you can book a private Miami skyline tour and cozy up with your sweetie as you fly over stunning highlights of the city: majestic cruise ships moored along the main ship channel, soaring high rises of downtown Miami, and the trendy streets of South Beach and Deco drive. Miami Sea Planes works closely with other venues, so you can plan a magnificent date night, complete with sunset dinner for two, seaside, while your seaplane floats nearby.
 
One distinct advantage of seaplanes over other aerial craft is their ability to cruise low, offering intimate sights of the abundant ocean life in the crystal clear waters offshore South Florida. You’ll be able to see exotic marine life like red star fi

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Grown-ups need more outdoor time. Think about it. How many of us spend the majority of our days confined by four walls, whether it is in a car, a cubicle or a house? Rock N Body Wellness seeks to change that, and in the process, help individuals make life changes that will ultimately improve their quality of life.

Owner of Rock N Body Wellness, Ashley Matejka, has created a personal fitness and wellness program that she offers as an “out of gym experience.” She has extensive training and experience in the fitness and wellness industry and is a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Rock N Body’s philosophy encompasses wellness of the mind, body and soul. The company offers Mind over Muscles small group training sessions throughout parks in Brickell, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. Group sessions are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 am and 3 pm. Workouts cover cardio, muscular endurance, stren

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Come out for some fun in the sun aboard a Yamaha Wave Runner. Sure, jet-ski rentals by the ½ hour or hour are fun, but if you are going to ride the waves, why not see some Miami sites along the way? Join Jet Ski Tours of Miami for a tour of Miami harbor.

Experienced guides will weave you around six islands, including Star and Palm Islands, which are home to many celebrity retreats. Enjoy making waterfront café diners jealous as you scoot along the coast of and as you ride by downtown’s Bayfront Park.
 
Don’t forget to wave bon voyage to any cruise ships you see leaving the Miami harbor.

Several parts of the tour have no speed limit, so throttle down and experience what 80 kilometers an hour feels like atop the water. 

Jet Ski Tours of Miami also offers a combined jet-ski and snorkel tour. During this 2 hour adventure, you’ll head off-shore and will snorkel above one of South Florida’s vibrant reef

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Check your inhibitions at the door and join Pole Fitness Miami for a fun-filled workout. With studios conveniently located in both Coral Gables and South Beach and over 100 classes offered weekly, you’ll have no trouble fitting fitness into your schedule.

Classes run one hour and are offered daily between the hours of 10 am and 8 pm. Absolutely no dance experience is needed – that’s what the certified and professionally trained instructors are for. They’ll have you twirling, climbing and sensually slithering in no time.
 
Classes range in difficulty from the Beginner Twirl and Climb to the advanced Sultry and Sexy Pole. In the Lap Vegas class, you’ll learn a sexy lap dance routine, and in the Hot Hip Hop Jazz Funk class, you’ll learn moves you can show off in the South Beach clubs.

Pole Fitness Miami hopes you will “come for the workout, but stay for the fun”. You’ll build muscle tone and defini

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Come soar above the Atlantic Ocean at 600 feet! Parasail Miami Beach can get you elevated, and offers visitors and residents a heightened perspective of the city, literally.

Participants need neither training nor experience. All you need is a sense of adventure! Parasailers must be at least 5 years old, and those under 8 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Also, all minors must have a parent or guardian signature on their liability waiver.

Here are the specifics on how it works. You both ascend and descend from the parasail platform at the rear of the boat. As you gently lift off, you are cradled in a sitting harness that holds you safely and securely.

There are a couple of other things you should know. First, you will likely get wet, so make sure that camera or video camera is waterproof! Second, observers (friends and family) are welcome on the boat, but for a fee of $20, and only when space permits. Full paying parasailers get first dibs.

P

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This July take some time to pamper yourself or someone that needs it. Just $99 provides massages, facials, manicures, or pedicures at some of Miami's most decadent spas.

The 2009 participants include the Spa at Icon Brickell, the Spa at the Setai, the Ritz-Carlton Spa at Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne, and South Beach, Biltmore Spa, Emena Spa, mySpa at the Intercontinental Hotel, the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Uhma Organic Spa, and many others.

At Emena Spa in the Design District, your $99 will score you a 55-minute custom organic facial and a 60-minute integrative massage. To receive the discount, RSVP to (305) 438-3777 and be sure to mention Miami Spa Month.

At the Intercontinental Hotel's mySpa, let your stress dissolve with a 60-minute massage and a 30-minut

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This county recreation area is considered a local treasure by native Miamians. It is a perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a slice of nature. The park boasts a distinctive feature, a man-made atoll pool, which is kept fresh naturally by the tidal action of nearby Biscayne Bay. This circular lagoon offers a safe swimming area for children of all ages. Sandy stretches of beach and palm trees surround the atoll, so pack a picnic and come spend an afternoon!
 
Matheson Hammock Park also has a sizeable grassy area with a scenic lake, bordered by several coral rock picnic pavilions, each complete with picnic tables, benches and a charcoal grill. Every weekend, Miamians both young and old can be found here, celebrating birthdays, family get-togethers and other memorable events.
 
The park has both walking and biking trails through charming canopies of mangrove trees. There are also several spots for fishing; the most

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Head over to Oleta River State Park for the best mountain bike trails in Miami. Yes, you read right. Mountain bike trails in Miami. Oleta State Park is Florida’s largest urban park and is best known for its miles of off-road biking trails.

In all, Oleta boasts 10 miles of challenging, intermediate biking trails, 4 miles of beginner trails and 3 miles of easy, paved trails. While you might not gain much elevation on these trails, they have been man-made to be technically challenging, offering bikers a great workout.

Helmets are highly encouraged on trails, and the park offers a loaner system in the event you forget yours.
 
In addition to biking, Oleta offers mainstay South Florida favorites like kayaking, canoeing, walking trails, a plethora of picnic areas and a large stretch of beach. A protected mangrove forest at the north end of the park is an ideal spot for kayakers.

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Brickell, just south of downtown Miami, is an area that's booming with business -- some are even calling Brickell the new South Beach. Also known as the Financial District, most of the skyscrapers in Brickell are owned by banks, including the relatively famous Bank of America Tower. The tower lights up red, white and blue on the 4th of July, orange on Halloween, red on Valentine's Day, and the rest of the year is either purple, white, yellow, green, blue, or a combination of colors. 

With the business boom in Brickell has come the real estate boom. Apartment buildings are filling up quickly as young urban professionals rush closer to downtown. Competition from condominiums has left some hauntingly empty, while some are bursting at the seams. New restaurants and bars are opening faster than residents can try them. 

Public Transportation:

The Read More >>

Coral Gables's tagline is "The City Beautiful," and it is quite appropriate. Many of the Coral Gables resident have aesthetic restrictions on their property to keep the city's "look" consistent. Most of the city remains a "Mediterranean Revival" style.

Coral Gables houses several of Miami's well-known landmarks, including the lovely Venetian Pool, the refreshing Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, the historic Read More >>

Coconut Grove is one of the most environmentally aware areas of Miami. The Grove's Farmers Market happens every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. no matter what the weather. CocoWalk, the neighborhood's open air mall, is a fun place to spend a day shopping, eating, drinking and mingling.

Public Transportation:

You can get to Coconut Grove by the Metrorail, at either the Douglas Road Station, the Coconut Grove Station or the Vizcaya Station. Single rides are $2, and a day pass is $5.Education and Culture:

Public schools in Coconut

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Just two miles west of the high rises in downtown Miami is the well-known neighborhood of Little Havana. Named after the capital of Cuba, Little Havana is an area brimming with Cuban culture.

In the 1960’s, many Cuban refugees fled to Miami, freeing themselves of Fidel Castro’s regime and finding comfort in and around Calle Ocho (Spanish for 8th street). Today, the heart of Little Havana lies between 14th and 17th Avenues along Calle Ocho. Here, you can witness a myriad of Cuban traditions, including: games of chess or dominos in Domino Park, cigar rolling, men sporting linen guayaberas - a traditional Cuban, button-up shirt, and locals gathering outside Cuban coffee cafeterias to discuss politics.

A great time to head over to Little Havana is the last Friday of every month, for a festival called “Viernes Culturales”  or Cultural Fridays. This monthly event showcases talented Latino artists, musicians and e

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 The talk around the NBA for recent months has all been about the installation of a new Big 3 in Miami that will see Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, and Chris Bosh playing together on the same court. These three played together for Team USA in the last Summer Olympics, but has yet to play together in the NBA.

The Miami Heat will debut their new cast against the NBA's current Big 3 when the Heat take on the Celtics on October 26. The game will match Lebron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade against Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce. 

The league will make the official announcement Tuesday night during an hour-long special on NBA TV. The NBA is following foot of the NFL with this schedule release. Every opponent of the Miami Heat wants to know when they come to town so they can get tickets early.

The NBA will also announce the Christmas Day game. Since the NBA will most likely be looking for higher ratings, expect to see a matchup between the Miami

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 A toddler was found dead today in a South Florida home. The father was charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect after allegedly punching his child in a "boxing" lesson. 

Lee Willie DeJesus, the father of the toddler, told investigators that he punched his son repeatedly - up to 15 times - while the boy was on a bed to teach him how to box, according to the Miami-Dade police. DeJesus told investigators the boy was knocked off the bed and struck his head against a bedroom wall and tile floor. DeJesus allegedly waited up to an hour to call 911.

The two-year old boy was rushed to Miami Children's Hospital where he underwent surgery and later died.

DeJesus is being held by Miami-Dade police on bail that is more that $57,000. 

Miami police say someone fired a gun at a taxicab, killing the passenger and injuring the driver.

Detective William Moreno said the taxicab was fired upon while parked at a traffic light late Sunday night. A second vehicle approached the cab from behind and opened fire on the taxi.

The only passenger, identified as a 40-year-old man, has been pronounced dead. The taxicab driver is in critical condition. There was a third victim - an innocent bystander in a pickup truck across the street - that was shot in the leg. Moreno said the injury was non-life threatening. 

Police and investigators do not have a motive for the crime. They have said it is too early to say whether the crime was random or targeted towards the passenger. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. 

Diamond rings, Rolex watches, fur coats, flat-screen TVs, boats, and even a small plane are among some seized items that the U.S. Department of Treasury is going to auction off to the highest bidder Wednesday afternoon. 

The auction will be held at VSE Corporation's Warehouse in Miami on Wednesday. Bidders from all over the country have been waiting for this event. Nassar Shariat, who lives in Denver, planned his vacation around the auction, which he has attended in the past. "That way if i don't buy anything, I won't feel bad," said Shariat.

Joe Steinfeld, auction coordinator for Rick Levin & Associates, a Chicago-based subcontractor under VSE, is hoping for a few hundred people when the bidding gets under way at 9 a.m. on Wednesday in Miami. 

Items range from laptops to copy machines, cars to boats, even helicopter pontoons to up for auction. Most of the merchandise comes from the U.S. Secret Service, with other goods from the I

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 Late Tuesday night, a driver lost control of his SUV. The vehicle rolled on the front of a business near Northwest 17th Avenue and 55th Terrace. Police are looking for the driver involved in this crash.

Three people were ejected from the SUV as it rolled, damaging concrete walls and an iron gate. Two other people, including the driver, were not ejected from the car. The driver fled the scene.

Four injured passengers were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital. The three who were ejected from the vehicle are listed in serious condition.

Police will continue to look for the driver that fled the scene.

The Florida Department of Health has issued a swimming advisory recommending people stay out of the Crandon Park beach waters at this time due to high levels of bacteria.

Since August 2002, the Miami-Dade Health Department has been monitoring the quality of marine beach water at 15 sites across Miami-Dade weekly. Two consecutive samples at Key Biscayne's Crandon Park exceeded the state recommended standard for enterococci, while all other sites have been cleared. 

A high presence of enterococci indicates fecal pollution, which may be caused by sewage and storm runoff. Enteric bacteria normally inhabit the intestinal track of humans and animals, causing illness, infections, and human disease. Water contact can pose an increased chance of illness, especially for susceptible individuals. 

Additional beach samples from Crandon Park have been collected, with results pending. For the time being, authorities say to stay clear of Key Biscayne's Crandon Park

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On Thursday, Federal agents arrested 15 suspects on charges of importing multi-kilogram loads of cocaine and heroin on commercial cargo flights from Columbia, Panama, and Venezuela.  Authorities say drug smugglers have once again tapped into Miami International Airport, teaming up with cargo workers to move shipments on and off Latin America flights.

A total of 28 defendants, including numerous cargo workers at Miami International Airport, are charged in five drug-trafficking conspiracy indictments unsealed by the U.S. Attorney's Office this week. The indictments allege the defendants had smuggled drugs through the airport since 2006. There are still an additional 13 targets still at large. 

According to authorities, this recent crackdown by Immigration and Customs Enforcement came from a five-year investigation into international traffickers and MIA cargo workers who use their official airport access to divert drugs from U.S. customs inspection area.&

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The two men that were charged in the ambush slaying of an armored truck guard at a Miami mall have been found guilty by separate juries.

The robbery happened on December 1, 2008 that ended with the death of 51-year-old Carlos Alvarado. 

A jury found 25-year-old Emmanuel Maxime guilty of conspiracy, robbery, and using a firearm in connection with the robbery. On July 30, a separate jury found 26-year-old Dwight Carter guilty of using a fire arm in connection with the robbery as well as drug trafficking and causing the death of Alvarado. 

Carter is scheduled to be sentenced October 29, while Maxime awaits his sentencing on November 2. 

Federal authorities are investigating the what caused a small plane to crash near a South Florida power plant.

Both occupants were able to safely climb to safety after their single-engine Cessna crashed on Wednesday, according to authorities.

The airplane crash-landed in a canal near Florida Power & Light power plant in southwest Miami-Dade county. Police and emergency crews had to be escorted to the site because it is off-limits to the public.

The crash was reported by the Kendall-Tamiami airport's control tower. The National Transportation Safety Board are investigating more into what caused the crash.  

 A Florida-based salvage company says to have found the wreck of a 198-year-old Swedish merchant vessel off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. 

Blue Hole Expedition is asking a federal judge to declare them as the owners of the Swedish ship Briggen Hialmar, built in 1812. The wreck was said to be found about 600 miles off St. Johns, Newfoundland in international waters. The sunken ship is located more than 16,000 feet below the surface. There is no estimate of the shipwreck's value yet.

Court documents have shown that the company has salvaged the ship's bell, some personal items, and a copper pot using a remote operated vehicle. 

Blue Hole was given temporary custody of the ship and its contents by a federal judge on Tuesday. A final decision will come later. 

 It's the first day of school, and for many Miami-Dade and Broward students, the butterflies started fluttering weeks ago. More than 600 thousand students headed off to their appropriate schools as classes begun today in two of the largest public school districts in the nation. 

For students in Miami-Dade not only does this year mean a new grade, it also means new school hours. 

For elementary school students in grades Pre-K, K, and 1st grade, school now starts at 8:20 a.m. and dismisses at 1:50 p.m. For students in grades 2 through 5 classes begin at 8:35 a.m. and dismiss at 3:05 p.m. All grades will be dismissed at 1:50 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Middle school students, grades 6 through 8, will go from 9:10 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. and high school grades 9 through 12th will attend class from 7:20 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. 

Summer break is now over for more than a half-million students in Miami-Dade and Broward, who head to class on Monday. For some ki

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 Two people have died and several others are recovering from gunshot wounds after at least two, unidentified gunmen opened fire on them outside an abandoned laundromat.

Police say that a group of gunmen approached another group outside the laundromat in Northwest Miami-Dade and opened fire. "When they were approached by unknown suspects, the suspects opened fire on the victims," said a police official.

The shooting left two people dead at the scene. Police identified one man as 35-year-old Kevin Brown and the other is still unknown. Two victims that were wounded were rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where their injuries are unknown but police say they are in stable condition. A third victim was treated at the scene and released. 

Witnesses told police that there is usually a crowd playing dominoes or cards outside the abandoned business where the shooting took place. 

Police are searching for multiple gunmen and are invest

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A Miami man pleaded guilty to several crimes that took place in October 2007 after he was recognized from a police sketch.

Wayne Proctor, a 22-year-old Miami man, pleaded guilty to nine charges Wednesday that will leave him behind bars for a decade. 

Proctor was arrested after a tipster recognized him from a police sketch. Proctor pleaded guilty to crimes including armed robbery, aggravated battery, and rape. 

 Two Miami-Dade police officers rescued an 81-year-old blind man and his wife from their burning home. James Kendrick and his wife Joan, who is also blind and uses a wheelchair, screamed frantically for help after realizing their home was on fire.

Their saviors were two Miami-Dade police officers who knew the blaze was too intense to wait for Fire Rescue to arrive.   James Kendrick was found in his smoke filled hallway by police. He was quickly put in his wheelchair and escorted away from danger. 68-year-old Joan Kendrick was still in bed when police arrived. Another officer put her in a wheelchair and pushed her out of the home.   Miami-Dade Fire Rescue got to the scene just as the officers brought the couple outside. "They did an outstanding job," said Captain Eric Baum, a fire rescue spokesman.    It took about a dozen units an hour to get the blaze fully extinguished, Baum said. The fire is still under investigation, but early rep

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 On September 4, the Marlins Super Saturday will feature a post-game performance by Miami-born rapper Pitbull with special guest Fat Joe. First pitch versus the Atlanta Braves is set for 7:10 p.m. at Sun Life Stadium (2267 NW 199 Street, Miami Gardens, 33056). The post-game concert will follow a fireworks spectacular. Also, the first 15,000 fans 21 and older will receive a Marlins Rally Flag courtesy of Budweiser. For more information on Super Saturdays and to purchase tickets, call 1-877-MARLINS or visit the Marlins’ official websites,www.marlins.comand www.marlinsbeisbol.com.

Pitbull debuted on Lil Jon’s 2002 album Kings of Crunk

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Since 2006, Ada Merritt K-8 Center has received an "A" Performance Grade every year. The magnet school prides itself on its multilingual programs. Students receive extensive training in different languages, including English and either Spanish or Portuguese. 

The school is a special breed. It's the first tri-county school in the area, and students commute from Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties. To apply, fill out the necessary form by the deadline, and then call the school to make an appointment for an interview. 

Ada Merritt has received m

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In 2009, FIU had 40,000 students attending. Incoming students that same year averaged a 26 on the ACT and a 3.8 high school grade point average. There are two main campuses belonging to FIU -- Modesto A. Maidique (MMC) southwest of downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami. According to FIU, half of Miami-Dade county teachers have degrees from their university. 

 

FIU's mascot is the panther and their colors are blue and gold. The panthers play football, baseball, softball, volleyball, women's golf, track and field, basketball and soccer. 

Florida Senator Ernest Graham expressed south Florida's need for a public university in the 1940s. It took twenty years for the bill to be signed into law, and 1965 marks the official founding of Miami's first public university. The first students walked the halls of FIU in the fall of 1972.
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Nova Southeastern University began in 1964 with programs in physical and social sciences. Then it was known simply as Nova University. In 1994 the school officially merged with Southeastern University of Health and Sciences, and now is known as Nova Southeastern University. 

The university is a not-for-profit, private institution. Nova is a school where off-site learning is prevalent; the university offers field-study programs throughout Florida and 23 other states. NSU's campus is stretched across 300 acres in Fort Lauderdale. 

As of 2010, 29,000 students are enrolled at Nova, with about 127,000 alumni. The school has more than 40 degrees for undergraduates, as well as a Dual Admission Program, which holds graduate seats for qualified students as they work to finish undergraduate courses. Students can also attain graduate degrees and professional degrees from Nova. Professional degrees include law, pharmacy, optometry, dental medicine, clinical psyc

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The University of Miami Hurricanes (or "Canes," as known by the students and locals), proudly sport their green and orange at athletic games and throughout campus. The main campus is in Coral Gables, the medical campus is located in downtown Miami, and a UM marine research facility is housed on Key Biscayne. The private university opened its doors in October 1926.

The 260 acre campus is lush with greenery. The many palm trees, flowers, bushes and shrubs provide a lovely setting for learning and studying. The arboretum at UM houses many colorful plants with identifying labels. The lake in the middle of campus is surrounded by the school's pool, The Rathskeller, the campus's popular bar and restaurant, and the University Center, which houses the food court, bookstore, a kosher deli, common areas, a radio station, a convenience store, club offices and more.

Academics at UM include the colleges of engineering, arts and sciences, communication, education, nursin

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